DUBAI: The Sudanese army has taken full control of the presidential palace in central Khartoum, marking a significant shift in the ongoing two-year conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has pushed the country toward potential division.
Shortly after the army’s announcement on Friday, the RSF claimed it was still positioned near the palace and had launched an assault that resulted in the deaths of dozens of soldiers inside.
According to military sources, RSF fighters were stationed approximately 400 meters away. The army also reported that a drone attack killed several of its soldiers, along with three state television journalists.
Although the army had been struggling for much of the conflict, recent operations have allowed it to reclaim key territory in central Sudan. Meanwhile, the RSF has solidified its hold in the west, reinforcing battle lines and raising concerns about a de facto partition of the country. The RSF has been working to establish a parallel government in its controlled regions, though it is unlikely to receive broad international recognition.
The RSF originally captured the presidential palace and much of Khartoum when fighting erupted in April 2023 over its proposed integration into the Sudanese armed forces.
Following the army’s latest success, videos shared online showed soldiers celebrating on the palace grounds, with shattered windows and walls scarred by gunfire. Images also revealed extensive damage to the recently built structure, with its outer cladding stripped away by explosions. Many Sudanese responded positively to the army’s declaration of victory at the palace.
