The Sudanese army has taken control of most of Khartoum, marking a significant shift in the ongoing conflict with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Residents reported that RSF troops had withdrawn and that the army had deployed across the city center. This development comes as the country remains divided into rival zones, with the RSF still maintaining a stronghold in western Sudan.
General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, head of the Sudanese army, visited the presidential palace and Khartoum International Airport, reinforcing the military’s dominance in the capital. According to an army statement, his arrival marked the first flight to land at the airport since the war began. The military also announced the capture of a major RSF base south of the city, which they described as the paramilitary group’s last significant position in Khartoum state.
Drone footage released purportedly showed RSF forces retreating across the Nile River. Although independent sources have not verified the footage, reports from residents have suggested that RSF fighters are moving southward toward Jebel Awliya, a remaining exit route. Social media videos indicate that some residents in central Khartoum have been celebrating the army’s advance after enduring what they described as a difficult RSF occupation.
The conflict, which erupted in 2023, has displaced 12.5 million people, creating what the United Nations describes as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. Famine conditions are affecting several regions, particularly in Khartoum, where looted markets and restrictions on aid deliveries have worsened food shortages. Rights groups have reported incidents of sexual violence, looting, and indiscriminate shelling by both factions.
The war stems from tensions between the army and the RSF, both of which played a role in the 2021 coup that ended Sudan’s transition to civilian rule. Disagreements over RSF integration into the military, leadership hierarchy, and civilian governance ultimately led to full-scale fighting. Initially, the RSF controlled large sections of Khartoum, leveraging its strong urban presence, while the army maintained superior air power. The RSF also secured dominance in Darfur and El Gezira state.
Despite the military’s recent gains, the conflict is far from over. The RSF still controls much of western Sudan, including Darfur, and both sides receive support from foreign backers, ensuring a steady flow of weapons. International efforts to mediate peace have failed to yield lasting results. However, with renewed control in the capital, there is an opportunity for negotiations to resume, potentially paving the way for stability and humanitarian relief efforts in the war-torn nation.
