Sudan and Niger: A Taste of Major Victories Against ISIS and Rapid Support Forces Mercenaries
By Mohamed Saad Kamil
In recent developments, both Sudan and Niger have achieved significant military successes against extremist groups operating within their territories.
Niger’s Operation Against ISIS in the Sahara
Niger’s military launched a comprehensive operation targeting ISIS-affiliated bases in the western Sahara region, specifically in the Tillabéri region near the border with Mali and Burkina Faso. The operation resulted in the deaths of approximately 20 militants and the capture of 83 suspects. Additionally, the forces destroyed three enemy bases, logistical warehouses, and confiscated weapons and motorcycles associated with ISIS. The captured individuals, including women and children, were handed over to Nigerian authorities. 
This operation underscores Niger’s commitment to combating terrorism independently, challenging previous Western assertions that the country couldn’t face ISIS without external support.
Sudan’s Recapture of Wad Madani from RSF Rebels
In Sudan, the national army successfully retook the strategic city of Wad Madani from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rebels. This victory is considered a pivotal moment in the nearly two-year civil war that began in April 2023, leading to one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. The recapture of Wad Madani, located in the Gezira state, not only boosts the army’s morale but also disrupts the RSF’s supply lines to Khartoum. The RSF’s acknowledgment of their defeat in Wad Madani highlights the army’s growing strength and influence
These parallel developments in Niger and Sudan reflect a broader trend of regional forces asserting greater control over their territories, challenging previous narratives about their dependence on foreign military support.
