KHARTOUM: Sudan's Army Retakes Presidential Palace From 'Fleeing' RSF

KHARTOUM: Sudan’s Army Retakes Presidential Palace From ‘Fleeing’ RSF

Sudan’s military announced on Friday that it has seized control of the Presidential Palace and other government buildings in central Khartoum.

This comes after a four-day siege, giving a significant setback to the enemy Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) spokesman Nabil Abdalla stated in a broadcast statement that troops had forced RSF rebels out of the presidential complex, Al Souq Al-Arabi Market, and numerous ministries.

The advance is part of a larger effort started in September 2024 to recover regions seized by the RSF since the outbreak of hostilities in April 2023.

However, the RSF rejected the defeats, claiming that its forces remained near the palace and had killed 89 SAF personnel in a counteroffensive.

🇸🇩 The #Sudanese army says it has taken full control of the Presidential Palace in central #Khartoum.

It’s one of the most symbolic gains in its two-year war with a rival armed group threatening to split the country.

➡️ @BizotOlivia reports pic.twitter.com/UKkZ2qQ9cd
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) March 21, 2025

“The battle is not over. We will liberate all positions,” the group said in a statement.

A military source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that a drone attack on a gathering of military personnel and journalists in the Republican Palace’s outer courtyard killed at least ten people, including troops and media workers.

Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, leader of the SAF and chairman of the Transitional Military Council, has committed to continue the offensive.

“Our forces are advancing steadily, and we will not retreat,” he said during a visit to Gezira State, according to a sovereign council statement.

Khalid Ali Aleisir, the government’s spokesman, said RSF fighters were “fleeing” Khartoum and encouraged them to surrender.

BREAKING: Sudan's Army retakes control of the Presidential Palace in central Khartoum from RSF militias after two years. pic.twitter.com/MWGaeLtHB5
— Clash Report (@clashreport) March 21, 2025

Meanwhile, SAF operations commander Mohamed Abdul-Rahman Al-Belawi stated that the army’s next target was the RSF-controlled Khartoum Airport, threatening to “clear the capital entirely.”

The war pits the army against the RSF, a paramilitary unit led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, Al-Burhan’s former deputy and supporter.

ALSO READ:

The 23-month conflict has killed roughly 30,000 people, according to UN data.

Since late 2023, the SAF has reclaimed considerable ground in central Khartoum, parts of Bahri city, and strategic locations like Wad Madani in Gezira State.

A military source told Xinhua that forces had also made progress in Omdurman, taking Umbada neighborhoods.

Despite these advancements, the RSF maintains authority over rural regions of Gezira and sections of Khartoum.

KHARTOUM: Sudan’s Army Retakes Presidential Palace From ‘Fleeing’ RSF