The Sudanese army has reclaimed the presidential palace in Khartoum from the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marking a significant shift in the two-year-long war that has ravaged the country.
Military spokesperson Nabil Abdallah announced the victory on state television, stating that the army had taken control of key government buildings in central Khartoum.
“Our forces completely destroyed the enemy’s fighters and equipment and seized large quantities of equipment and weapons,” Abdallah declared.
Verified footage showed jubilant soldiers waving their weapons, cheering, and kneeling in prayer, celebrating what could be a turning point in the conflict.
Since the outbreak of war in April 2023, the RSF has controlled most of Khartoum and large parts of western Sudan. The army’s recent advances in central Sudan and now the capital signalled a potential shift in momentum.
The battle for the presidential palace has been fierce, with reports of drone attacks and air strikes in the area on Thursday. The RSF was yet to officially comment on the army’s claims, but its leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti vowed to defend the palace and its surroundings.
In a video statement released on Saturday, Hemedti threatened further attacks in northern cities, indicating that the war is far from over.
The prolonged conflict plunged Sudan into what the United Nations described as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis. Millions have been displaced, and both the RSF and the army face accusations of widespread human rights abuses.
Despite multiple attempts at peace talks, negotiations have repeatedly collapsed as both sides continue their battle for control of Sudan’s strategic regions.
