Khartoum, Sudan| In a significant military breakthrough, the Sudanese army has regained control of the presidential palace in Khartoum, marking a crucial turning point in its ongoing battle against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The victory, described by officials as a “highly symbolic battlefield gain,” underscores the intensifying struggle for dominance in Sudan’s protracted civil war.
Videos circulating on social media depict Sudanese soldiers inside the heavily damaged presidential compound, armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers.
In one widely shared clip, an officer bearing captain’s epaulettes confirms that the army is now in control of the palace.
Sudan’s Information Minister, Khaled al-Aiser, took to X (formerly Twitter) to announce the development, declaring, “Today the flag is raised, the palace is back.” He vowed that military operations would persist “until victory is complete.”
Despite the army’s advances in Khartoum, the RSF, led by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, remains entrenched in western Sudan, particularly in the Darfur region, where it has reportedly consolidated power.
Analysts warn that the paramilitary group is establishing a parallel government in territories under its control, though international recognition of such an entity remains highly unlikely.
Tensions escalated further on Thursday when the RSF claimed to have seized al-Maliha, a strategic town in North Darfur.
While Sudan’s military acknowledged ongoing battles in the area, it did not confirm the loss of the city.
The situation remains fluid, with intermittent gunfire echoing across the capital, though it remains unclear whether the sounds indicate continued fighting or celebratory gunfire following the army’s success.
Humanitarian Catastrophe Worsens
As the conflict rages, Sudan faces what the United Nations has labeled the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
The war, which erupted in April 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and forced millions to flee their homes.
Entire communities are on the brink of famine, with aid agencies struggling to provide relief amid ongoing violence and bureaucratic obstacles imposed by the warring factions.
Both the Sudanese army and the RSF have been accused of severe human rights abuses, including indiscriminate killings, mass displacement, and sexual violence.
The U.S. State Department has previously accused the RSF of committing genocide, an allegation the group vehemently denies.
The Sudanese military has also faced scrutiny for alleged war crimes, with international organizations calling for accountability on both sides.
A War with No End in Sight
Efforts to broker a ceasefire have repeatedly collapsed, with both factions entrenched in their positions and unwilling to negotiate a lasting truce.
Regional powers and the international community have struggled to mediate an end to the conflict, which has further destabilized the already fragile Horn of Africa.
As the Sudanese army celebrates its recapture of the presidential palace, the broader war shows no signs of abating.
With the RSF still controlling vast swathes of territory and both sides unwilling to compromise, Sudan’s suffering is likely to persist, deepening the humanitarian catastrophe and prolonging the country’s descent into chaos.
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