Sudan’s military retakes Khartoum presidential palace from paramilitary forces in symbolic victory

In a significant development in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, the Sudanese military has announced the recapture of the Republican Palace in Khartoum, which had been under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for nearly two years.
The palace, a historic symbol of Sudan’s government and seat of power, was retaken after months of military advances. Videos shared on social media by Sudanese soldiers showed them entering the devastated palace, marking a pivotal moment in the struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah Burhan and his former deputy and now RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The military’s progress was confirmed by Information Minister Khaled al-Aiser, who hailed the victory, declaring that “the journey continues until victory is complete.”
The military also reported heavy losses inflicted on the RSF, including the destruction of a convoy of 30 vehicles attempting to flee south. However, despite the army’s success in Khartoum, the RSF still controls significant territory in other parts of the country, notably in Darfur. The war, which erupted in April 2023, has left more than 28,000 people dead, displaced millions, and plunged Sudan into a deep humanitarian crisis. With famine spreading and large swaths of the country in chaos, the conflict continues to destabilize Sudan and threatens to fracture the nation further. Both the military and the RSF face accusations of human rights abuses, exacerbating the suffering of civilians caught in the crossfire.