Sudan’s army is reportedly on the verge of seizing control of the Presidential Palace in central Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), according to state television, marking a potentially decisive turn in the nearly two-year conflict that has devastated the nation.
The battle for the palace—considered a symbolic and strategic stronghold—has intensified in recent weeks, with the army gradually regaining ground in the capital after months of RSF dominance. The RSF captured large parts of Khartoum, including the palace, shortly after hostilities erupted in April 2023. However, government forces have steadily advanced along the Nile River corridor, closing in on the RSF’s central positions.
While no official peace talks have emerged, both sides have signaled their intent to continue fighting for full control of the country. Analysts warn that if the army successfully secures the capital, it could entrench the geographic division of Sudan, deepening the existing east-west territorial split between the two factions.
Clashes raged overnight into Thursday, with residents reporting heavy explosions from airstrikes and drone attacks launched by the army on RSF-held positions in central Khartoum. The military continues to leverage its air superiority, although recent RSF statements and battlefield footage suggest that the paramilitary group is expanding its drone capabilities.
On Telegram, RSF forces claimed they were pressing forward toward the Army General Command building, also in the heart of the capital, and that their fighters were launching fresh attacks from the city’s southern outskirts.
Meanwhile, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti, reportedly ordered his troops to maintain control of the Presidential Palace at all costs, amid increasing pressure from army units. Witnesses say RSF snipers have taken up positions in surrounding high-rise buildings to resist the advance.
The RSF still controls parts of Khartoum and neighboring Omdurman, as well as significant portions of western Sudan. The group continues to battle for dominance in Darfur, particularly in the city of al-Fashir, one of the military’s last remaining footholds in the region.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The conflict, born out of a failed power-sharing transition between the army and RSF, has spiraled into what the United Nations describes as the world’s largest humanitarian catastrophe. Widespread famine, outbreaks of disease, and mass displacement have affected millions across the country.
Both the army and RSF face allegations of war crimes, and the RSF has also been accused of genocide in Darfur—charges both factions deny. The RSF has pledged to investigate and hold individual perpetrators accountable, but independent observers say impunity remains widespread.
In recent months, the army’s gains in central Sudan have prompted some displaced residents to return home. Many civilians had fled their neighborhoods due to RSF-led looting, killings, and the occupation of residential properties. While the army’s advance has been welcomed by some, concerns over misconduct persist. Activist networks in Omdurman have accused some soldiers of robbery during recent deployments, though the military has denied these claims.
Despite cautious optimism among civilians in newly reclaimed areas, the fighting shows no sign of abating. Without a negotiated solution on the horizon, Sudan’s political and humanitarian crisis appears far from over.
