Sudan Army Gains Ground: Presidential Palace Reclaimed After Two Years of Conflict

In a pivotal development, the Sudanese Armed Forces have recaptured the presidential palace in Khartoum from rival paramilitary group RSF, reigniting hopes for a potential resolution to a civil war that has persisted for nearly two years.

The Sudanese army has announced the retaking of the presidential palace in Khartoum from the rival paramilitary force known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marking a significant turning point in the ongoing conflict that has gripped the nation for nearly two years. Military leaders shared images of triumphant soldiers celebrating their victory on state television.

Nabil Abdallah, a spokesperson for the army, reported during a televised address that government forces accomplished their objective of regaining control over the palace and surrounding government buildings in central Khartoum. He stated, "Our forces completely destroyed the enemy's fighters and equipment, and seized large quantities of equipment and weapons." This successful operation comes amidst a backdrop of intense fighting that has centered around Khartoum, where the civil war originally erupted and where some of its most brutal confrontations have taken place.

Since the onset of the conflict, the RSF has maintained considerable control over vast regions of Khartoum and western Sudan. The recapture of the capital would represent a major victory for the Sudanese Armed Forces and could reshape the dynamics of the current conflict. Recently, the army has also made progress in other areas of central Sudan.

Reports from Thursday indicated explosions from drone strikes and air assaults near key locations such as the Republican Palace. In response, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly referred to as Hemedti, pledged to protect the areas held by his forces and issued threats of further offensives in northern cities.

With numerous peace initiatives failing to bring a ceasefire, the competing factions remain engaged in a brutal struggle for control of strategically vital regions. The ongoing conflict has resulted in what the United Nations has described as the world's largest humanitarian crisis, with both the RSF and the army facing accusations of extensive human rights violations amid the chaos.