Khartoum, Sudan| Sudan’s military is on the verge of reclaiming the Presidential Palace from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to state television reports on Thursday.
If successful, the development would mark a significant turning point in the nearly two-year conflict that has devastated the country.
The RSF, which seized the palace early in the war, is putting up stiff resistance, reportedly deploying snipers and engaging in close-quarters combat to defend its stronghold.
The battle for control has intensified in recent days, with Sudanese army forces launching sustained airstrikes and drone attacks on RSF positions in central Khartoum overnight.
Witnesses in the capital described powerful explosions and continuous aerial bombardments as the army escalated its offensive.
Military sources assert that the army’s superiority in air power has given it the upper hand, though the RSF has shown an increasing ability to deploy drones, indicating an evolution in its military strategy.
In a statement posted on Telegram, the RSF claimed it was making its own advances towards the Army General Command, signaling continued hostilities between the warring factions.
A Nation in Crisis
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between Sudan’s army and the RSF over power struggles within the transitional government, has plunged the country into chaos.
The fighting has led to what the United Nations describes as the “world’s largest humanitarian crisis,” with millions displaced and critical shortages of food, water, and medical supplies.
Reports indicate that famine and disease are spreading rapidly across Sudan, exacerbating the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.
Both sides have faced accusations of war crimes, including indiscriminate attacks on civilian populations.
The RSF, in particular, has been accused of committing genocide, charges it has repeatedly denied.
Human rights organizations have called for independent investigations into the alleged atrocities.
Civilian Hardships and Security Concerns
Amid the ongoing battle, civilians in some central regions of Sudan have cautiously begun returning to their homes.
However, the situation remains precarious. Activists in Omdurman, Sudan’s second-largest city, have reported incidents of robbery and looting allegedly carried out by some soldiers.
The Sudanese military has dismissed these allegations, maintaining that it remains committed to restoring order.
As the army inches closer to seizing the Presidential Palace, the outcome of the battle could significantly influence the trajectory of the war.
With no clear path to peace, Sudan’s conflict continues to inflict devastating consequences on its people, leaving the nation in a state of deep uncertainty.
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