Sudanese Army Recaptures Presidential Palace in Khartoum Amid Civil War

The Sudanese army achieved a critical victory on Friday by recapturing the presidential palace in Khartoum, a symbolic and strategic location that had been under the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since the onset of Sudan's devastating civil war in April 2023.

The conflict has claimed over 150,000 lives and displaced 12 million people, creating one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

Footage released by the military showed soldiers celebrating on the battered palace grounds, waving rifles and chanting slogans. Khalid al-Aleisir, Sudan's information minister, declared on social media, "The palace is back, and the journey continues until victory is complete."

The RSF, however, disputed the army's claim, asserting that the battle for Khartoum was far from over.

The recapture of the palace marks a turning point in the two-year conflict. The RSF had dominated much of Khartoum and western Sudan, using the palace as a base for its operations.

However, recent advances by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, have shifted control of most of the capital back to the army. Despite this progress, violence continues to rage in Darfur and other regions where RSF forces remain entrenched.

The civil war erupted from a power struggle between former allies—the SAF and RSF—who had jointly toppled dictator Omar al-Bashir in 2019 and later ousted Sudan's transitional civilian government in 2021.

Disputes over integrating the RSF into the regular military escalated into full-scale conflict in April 2023.

While the army's victory at the palace is a morale boost for its supporters, it does not signal an imminent end to hostilities. The RSF retains significant control in western Sudan and has declared plans to form a parallel government.

Meanwhile, drone strikes and ongoing clashes continue to devastate Khartoum and surrounding areas. A recent RSF drone attack near the palace killed an army spokesman and three journalists covering the military’s triumph.

The humanitarian toll remains catastrophic. Famine looms over hundreds of thousands, particularly in Darfur, where refugee camps have been under siege for months. International efforts to mediate ceasefires have largely failed, leaving millions without access to aid.

As both factions vow to continue fighting, Sudan faces an uncertain future marked by deepening divisions and widespread suffering.