The Face of truth: Operation Al-Zarq Base: What Did Al-Sharif Think?
Ibrahim Shaglawi
In a significant shift in the course of the war in Sudan, the Sudanese army and joint forces successfully carried out a precise and targeted operation against the Al-Zarq Base in North Darfur state the day before yesterday. This operation demonstrated high levels of efficiency in execution and military tactics, resulting in the neutralization of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia camps and the seizure of military equipment and weaponry by the Sudanese forces, in addition to the destruction of the militia’s command and control center, including the airstrip.
Before delving into the strategic dimensions of the operation, it is essential to first understand the nature of Al-Zarq Base, formerly known as “Ha Me,” which was established by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo as a vital center for the deployment of his forces. The base is located between the “Dar Swini” region to the north and “Dar Arni” to the south, serving as a crucial point in the militia’s military operations in North Darfur due to its geographically significant location near the borders of Chad and Libya.
The base was an essential supply hub, both through land and air supply lines, as the militia used it as a launching point to distribute weapons and military equipment in coordination with regional and international parties. The operation was carried out in two phases: the first was a direct siege aimed at disrupting the militia’s military capabilities within the base, and the second was a precise raid on the base to ensure complete control over it. In this operation, named “Al-Sharif Thinks It’s Done,” the RSF camps were neutralized, heavy military equipment, including vehicles, military hardware, and communication devices, were seized, and the militia’s command and control center was destroyed.
A key tactical objective was the closure of supply routes between Libya and Chad, as the militia relied on these routes to fund its military activities. Closing these routes obstructs the militia’s ability to carry out long-range offensive operations and limits its communication with regional and international supporters. This shift isolates the militia in North Darfur and makes them vulnerable to a gradual military collapse due to a lack of resources. The base had served as a launchpad for attacks on cities like Al-Fasher and other areas within Darfur, and removing it from operation effectively disrupts a critical artery in the militia’s military network, undermining many of their plans to expand their control.
What sets the attack on Al-Zarq Base apart is that it was not a traditional military assault, as the area is open and easy to monitor for movements. Therefore, the Sudanese forces relied on strategies of stealth, infiltration, and penetration through militia lines. The operation was complex, involving coordination between intelligence, aerial combat, and ground operations. This tactic not only crushed the militia’s military forces but also confused their units in other parts of Darfur. Additionally, the attack destroyed many of the communication and logistical networks that maintained the militia’s coherence and operational coordination. The operation revealed evidence of regional and international involvement in the conspiracy against Sudan, which will be disclosed in due time by the relevant authorities.
The significance of the destruction of Al-Zarq Base extends beyond the military aspect, representing a crucial step towards restoring Sudanese sovereignty over lands controlled by the militia at a time set by the Sudanese army. The project that Hamidti had been attempting to implement in Darfur, which involved establishing a “special state” under his control, was directly targeted by this operation, contributing to weakening the militia both politically and militarily.
Al-Zarq Base was a central point in the militia’s regional support network. Its destruction by the Sudanese army severs the militia’s connections to this support, isolating it politically and regionally. This shift reflects the failure of Hamidti’s attempts to create strong regional alliances to support him against the Sudanese state. The loss of Al-Zarq Base represents a severe psychological blow to the militia, as it was a social and military center for Hamidti’s family and the Dagalo clan. The army’s control over the base means the destruction of a key pillar of the militia’s internal strength, diminishing the morale of its fighters and negatively affecting their ability to organize and plan for future battles.
According to military experts, the operation against Al-Zarq Base is not just a moral and military defeat for the militia but the beginning of a series of strategic shifts that may lead to their collapse in the near future. Militarily, the Sudanese army is expected to witness internal withdrawals and fragmentation within the militia’s ranks, especially in light of the successive defeats they suffered in battles such as Jabal Muwayh, the liberation of Singa, and other locations. Alongside the decline in regional and international support following the militia’s involvement in horrific violations in areas like Al-Jazeera, Darfur, and Khartoum state through indiscriminate shelling of civilians.
Despite the successive defeats, the militia leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (“Hamidti”) remains absent from the military scene. His appearances in some recordings reveal only limited details about this mysterious absence, raising questions about the impact of his disappearance on directing field operations. If his absence is due to being killed or injured, it may lead to the complete collapse of the militia’s leadership structure in the coming days.
Based on this, and from the truth’s perspective, the neutralization of Al-Zarq Base represents a decisive strategic turning point in the course of the war in Sudan. It is a step toward regaining control of vital areas, breaking the siege of Al-Fasher, and achieving superiority in the war against the militia. Although the battle is not yet over, this operation marks a severe setback for the militia and opens the path for the Sudanese army to continue its strategy to restore security, peace, and sovereignty over all Sudanese territory.
Wishing you all the best.
Monday, December 23, 2024.
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