Sudanese military repossesses presidential palace
(MENAFN) The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have regained full control of the presidential palace in Khartoum from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which had occupied the site since the outbreak of war in 2023.
Recent clashes in central Khartoum have intensified, with the army launching a major offensive last Sunday. Advancing towards the military’s general command, soldiers successfully took control of key surrounding areas. According to the Sudan Tribune, the SAF’s strategic operation cut off RSF supply routes, leaving their fighters isolated from allied forces in the south and east of the capital.
In a statement on Friday, SAF spokesperson Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah hailed the army’s advance as a “historic and heroic victory,” announcing that government ministries and other vital buildings in central Khartoum had also been secured.
“Our forces today completed their successes in Khartoum, crushing the remnants of the terrorist militia in central Khartoum, the Arab market, the presidential palace, and ministry buildings,” Abdallah declared.
Videos circulating on social media showed Sudanese soldiers celebrating outside the palace, waving flags, raising their weapons, and flashing victory signs amid the ruins of shattered windows and bullet-ridden walls.
Meanwhile, on Thursday, the RSF claimed to have captured an important military base from the SAF in North Darfur, a region in western Sudan.
The conflict between the SAF and RSF erupted in April 2023 after disagreements between their commanders over Sudan’s transition to civilian rule escalated into full-scale war. Since then, tens of thousands have died, and the fighting has led to the world’s largest displacement crisis, with half of Sudan’s population now facing severe food shortages, according to the UN human rights office.
In February, the RSF signed a charter with allied political and armed groups to establish a “government of peace and unity” in Sudan. This move came weeks after army leader and de facto head of the country, General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, announced plans to form a “caretaker” or “wartime” government.
The African Union strongly opposed the RSF’s plan, warning that setting up a parallel government could lead to the division of Sudan. The UN Security Council has echoed similar concerns.
For many residents of Khartoum, the SAF’s victory has brought hope. Speaking to Reuters, 55-year-old Mohamed Ibrahim expressed his relief: “The liberation of the palace is the best news I’ve heard since the start of the war, because it means the army is starting to regain control of Khartoum.”
“We just want to feel safe again and live without fear or hunger,” he added.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
