Sudan’s military has tightened its hold on Khartoum by capturing several key sites, including the Republican Palace, from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This advance marks a significant shift in the nearly two-year-long conflict that has devastated the nation.
Brig. Gen. Nabil Abdullah, a spokesperson for the Sudanese military, confirmed that troops drove RSF fighters out of the National Intelligence Service headquarters and the Corinthia Hotel in central Khartoum. The military also reclaimed the Central Bank of Sudan and several government and educational buildings. According to Abdullah, hundreds of RSF fighters were killed while attempting to escape, although this information remains unverified. The RSF has yet to comment on these developments.
The military’s recapture of the Republican Palace on Friday delivered a symbolic victory, restoring control over the prewar seat of Sudan’s government. However, the achievement was marred by a drone strike on the same day. The Ministry of Information reported that the attack, believed to be carried out by the RSF, killed two journalists and a driver working for Sudanese state television. The military later confirmed the death of Lt. Col. Hassan Ibrahim, a media officer, in the same attack.
When the war began in April 2023, the RSF quickly seized key government and military sites, including the Republican Palace, the General Command, and the state television headquarters. Residential areas were also turned into bases for RSF operations. In recent months, however, the military has gained the upper hand. It has regained control of large parts of Khartoum, Omdurman, and Khartoum North, as well as other regions. The turning point came in late January when the army lifted the RSF’s siege on the General Command, paving the way for the palace’s recapture less than two months later.
With the palace secured, the military is now expected to target Khartoum International Airport, which lies about 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) southeast of the palace. The RSF has controlled the airport since the war began. Videos circulating on social media over the weekend appeared to show soldiers advancing toward the airport, but the footage has not been verified.
The war has left Khartoum and other urban areas in ruins, forcing millions to flee their homes. Over 28,000 people have been killed, though some reports suggest the true toll is much higher. In parts of the country, famine has driven families to eat grass in a desperate attempt to survive.
The conflict has also been marked by widespread atrocities, including mass sexual violence and ethnically motivated killings, particularly in Darfur. The United Nations and human rights organizations have classified these actions as war crimes and crimes against humanity. While the Sudanese military regains control of the capital, the humanitarian crisis deepens, leaving civilians in desperate need of aid.