Sudan’s military announced on Saturday that it had seized several strategic buildings in central Khartoum from paramilitary forces, marking a major development in the ongoing conflict. The advance comes after army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan vowed to achieve “full liberation” following the recapture of the presidential palace.
Army spokesperson Nabil Abdallah stated that government forces are intensifying pressure on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the city’s core. Among the reclaimed sites are the central bank, state intelligence headquarters, and the Sudan National Museum. These locations were overrun and looted by RSF fighters in the early weeks of the conflict, which erupted in April 2023.
Ongoing Clashes and RSF Response
An RSF source confirmed that some paramilitary units had retreated from specific areas in central Khartoum but emphasized that the battle remains undecided.
“Our forces are engaged in intense fighting near the airport,” the source stated, speaking on condition of anonymity. RSF fighters continue to occupy parts of the heavily damaged airport, a critical site in the nearly two-year conflict.
On Friday, the military and allied armed groups successfully retook the presidential palace from RSF control. In retaliation, the RSF launched a drone strike, killing three journalists and multiple army personnel. Military sources claim the paramilitary forces had used the palace as a stronghold for elite fighters and ammunition stockpiles.
The army’s recent territorial gains could strengthen its grip on the capital, giving it a crucial advantage in Sudan’s ongoing war. However, experts caution that these developments are unlikely to bring an end to the conflict.
With its recent advances, the army now controls the entire southern bank of the Blue Nile, which separates central Khartoum from Khartoum North. Additionally, it has secured a key road linking the city center to Omdurman across the White Nile.
Prolonged Conflict and Future Outlook
Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a brutal war between the military, led by General Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglo. After suffering significant setbacks early in the war, the military has regained momentum through a counteroffensive launched late last year, reclaiming large portions of Khartoum.
In a video released on Saturday, Burhan stated that the army is making steady progress towards the “full liberation of Sudan,” rallying supporters in Al-Kamlin, a town southwest of Khartoum.
Despite these gains, RSF forces remain entrenched in key buildings in Al-Mogran, an area west of the palace that houses financial institutions and business headquarters. Snipers have been positioned in high-rises overlooking both Omdurman and government ministries in central Khartoum.
While the military continues its push, analysts warn that even if the army fully recaptures Khartoum, Sudan’s devastating war is far from over. The conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced over 12 million people. The country remains effectively divided, with the military controlling the east and north, while the RSF maintains dominance in Darfur and parts of the south.
