General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the chief of Sudan’s armed forces, recently made a noteworthy visit to the president’s palace in Khartoum, which has been retaken from the grips of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) following nearly two years of intense conflict. In a confident declaration, Burhan proclaimed the capital “free,” marking a significant milestone in the ongoing struggle.
“Khartoum is free, it’s done,” Burhan stated clearly during a televised broadcast, summing up a multi-day operation aimed at reclaiming state institutions in central Khartoum.
During his first visit to the former seat of government since the military’s takeover, Burhan was seen marching through the war-torn palace in military fatigues, his fist raised in triumph. Soldiers surrounding him chanted, “God is greatest,” as they navigated past shattered windows and makeshift beds left by fleeing fighters.
The roots of the conflict date back to April 2023 when tensions erupted between Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, leading to a rapid takeover of the capital’s government district by the RSF. This upheaval forced many authorities to flee to Port Sudan along the Red Sea coast.
As of today, the Sudanese army has successfully cleared RSF fighters from Khartoum’s airport, and sources within the army report that they have encircled the RSF’s remaining stronghold just south of the city center. In a somber turn of events, this announcement follows a tragic incident described as one of the war’s deadliest airstrikes, which resulted in numerous casualties at a market in the western region of Darfur, with the United Nations reporting witness accounts of 270 bodies being buried.
Said an anonymous army source, “The remnants of the RSF militia are fleeing” across the White Nile, elaborating that the paramilitary forces have resorted to using the Jebel Awliya bridge as their last exit point linking Khartoum to their positions in Darfur.
Throughout Khartoum, various eyewitnesses and activist groups have reported a steady southward retreat of RSF fighters, though the RSF has not provided a public response to these developments.
In Port Sudan, where hundreds of thousands have sought refuge, crowds of jubilant civilians took to the streets to celebrate what they perceive as a significant victory for the army.
“Since April 2023, tens of thousands have lost their lives due to this conflict,” they lament, with over 12 million displaced, creating what has now become the world’s most severe hunger and displacement crisis.
The war has effectively split the nation in half, with the military now controlling the east and north while the RSF maintains a stronghold in most of Darfur and portions of the south. In a recent development, the RSF announced an official military alliance with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North, which controls critical border areas with both South Sudan and Ethiopia.
Emerging from a series of defeats over the last 18 months, the army has turned the tide in its favor, pushing through central Sudan toward Khartoum. As of now, RSF positions in Jebel Awliya and the outskirts of Omdurman—Khartoum’s twin city—remain a contentious battleground.
According to findings from the United Nations, more than 3.5 million individuals have been forced to flee the capital since the war’s outset, while millions more who remain are grappling with hunger and the specter of relentless violence and shelling.
Footage circulating on social media showcased scenes of celebration among residents in central Khartoum, with a young army ally embracing the civilians, saying, “You have endured so much.”
In Port Sudan, the festive crowds came together chanting, “one people, one army,” a testament to their hopes and unity amid adversity. Osama Abdel Qader, a Khartoum local, declared, “The area has been completely empty of the RSF since last night,” citing a noticeable absence of RSF forces who had previously occupied homes, some leaving their possessions behind.
However, the conflict has not been without its darker moments. The RSF has faced accusations of looting and occupying civilian homes, with numerous rights groups documenting incidents of sexual violence and abuse. The United States has imposed sanctions on both Burhan and Daglo for war crimes, with specific allegations of genocide against the RSF leader in Darfur.
The United Nations has voiced deep concern over repeated assaults on civilians across the country, including airstrikes and artillery attacks that have transformed what should be secure places into sites of devastation. “A market—meant to be a place of daily life and livelihood—turned into a scene of destruction,” lamented UN humanitarian coordinator Clementine Nkweta-Salami.
Experts warn of a troubling pattern of retaliatory violence against civilians by the RSF, while the army is also accused of permitting allied groups to target those perceived to have collaborated with the RSF. As the situation continues to evolve, the road ahead remains fraught with challenges, yet the resilience of the Sudanese people shines through in their hope for a peaceful future.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International – Monitoring.
