Sudan’s Military Reclaims Key Government Stronghold in Khartoum Amid Ongoing Conflict

Sudan’s Military Reclaims Key Government Stronghold in Khartoum Amid Ongoing Conflict

On Friday, Sudan’s military announced the successful retaking of the Republican Palace in Khartoum. This location, which has been a symbol of governance, fell after nearly two years of intense fighting against rival paramilitary forces.

The capture of the Republican Palace signifies a significant victory for the Sudanese military against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, known as the RSF. However, experts caution that this achievement does not signal an end to the conflict, as the RSF maintains control over substantial territories in Sudan, particularly in the western Darfur region.

Videos shared on social media depicted Sudanese soldiers celebrating inside the palace, marking the date as the 21st day of Ramadan, the sacred month for Muslims. In one video, a military officer confirmed that their forces were positioned within the compound.

Upon entering the palace, soldiers encountered a scene of devastation, with broken tiles underfoot and evidence of recent violence. Troops, armed with assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, expressed their triumph with chants of “God is the greatest!”

Khaled al-Aiser, Sudan’s information minister, took to the social platform X to announce the military’s regained control. He stated, “Today the flag is raised, the palace is back, and the journey continues until victory is complete.”

Following the announcement, curious residents began exploring the palace grounds. The walls bore marks from gunfire, and bloodstains led to deceased bodies that were hastily covered with blankets.

The Strategic Importance of the Republican Palace

The fall of the Republican Palace, located along the Nile River, holds both symbolic and strategic significance. It was the heart of Sudanese governance prior to the outbreak of war and continues to appear on national currency and postage stamps. This event represents another milestone for Sudan’s military forces, which have made substantial gains in recent months under the leadership of army chief General Abdel-Fattah Burhan.

The RSF, under General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, has largely been pushed out of Khartoum. Despite reports of sporadic gunfire throughout the city on Friday, the nature of these sounds—whether from ongoing conflict or celebration—remains unclear.

Brigadier General Nabil Abdullah, a spokesperson for the Sudanese military, confirmed that their troops are currently controlling the palace, government ministry buildings, and the nearby Arab Market, located just south of the complex.

Control over Khartoum International Airport, approximately 2.5 kilometers southeast of the palace, has remained with the RSF since the beginning of the conflict in April 2023.

Ongoing Fighting and Regional Developments

In a statement, Suleiman Sandal, a politician affiliated with the RSF, acknowledged the military’s capture of the palace and referred to it as part of the fluctuating dynamics in this ongoing conflict. The RSF later claimed that their forces are still active nearby and resisting the military’s advances.

Reports indicate that a drone strike on the palace, attributed to the RSF, resulted in casualties among both military personnel and journalists associated with Sudanese state television.

On the previous day, the RSF claimed to have gained control of al-Maliha, a strategic desert city located in North Darfur, near the borders with Chad and Libya. While the Sudanese military acknowledged clashes in the area, they did not confirm any loss of control over the city.

Al-Maliha sits roughly 200 kilometers north of El Fasher, which the Sudanese military continues to hold despite ongoing assaults from the RSF.

The Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to an unprecedented humanitarian crisis, as stated by the head of UNICEF. This situation has escalated to become one of the world’s largest humanitarian emergencies. UNICEF has condemned the looting of essential food aid meant for malnourished children at Al Bashir Hospital on the outskirts of Khartoum.

UNICEF has highlighted the blockades on commercial supplies and humanitarian aid routes, which have persisted for over three months due to ongoing hostilities. As a result, serious shortages of food, medicine, and other critical supplies have surfaced, leaving thousands of civilians caught in the midst of active fighting.

The death toll from this conflict has soared beyond 28,000, displacing millions and forcing some families to resort to extreme measures, including eating grass, as famine grips various regions of the country. Other estimates suggest even higher casualty figures.

A Historical Perspective

The Republican Palace has a storied past, having served as the seat of power during the British colonial period in Sudan. It witnessed the raising of some of the first flags of independent Sudan in 1956 and has been the office for various presidents and high-ranking officials throughout its history.

Throughout the ongoing conflict, the Sudanese military has targeted the palace and its premises, frequently shelling and launching assaults on the compound.

Continued Chaos and Instability in Sudan

Sudan has faced years of turmoil, particularly since the 2019 uprising that ousted longtime autocrat Omar al-Bashir. An initially hopeful transition to democracy was undermined when Burhan and Dagalo executed a military coup in 2021.

The hostilities between the RSF and the Sudanese military erupted in 2023, with escalating violence leading to increased civilian casualties. Burhan’s forces have regained ground against the RSF, taking a strategic oil refinery and advancing positions near Khartoum.

Al-Bashir faces charges at the International Criminal Court for orchestrating a genocidal campaign in the early 2000s, particularly against the ethnic African populations in the Darfur region, an act historically linked to the RSF’s predecessor, the Janjaweed militia. Rights organizations and the United Nations have raised alarms about current RSF actions targeting ethnic groups amid the ongoing conflict.

Allegations of human rights violations have surfaced against both factions since the war’s onset. Before leaving office, U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration formally declared that the RSF was committing genocide.

Both the Sudanese military and the RSF have denied these claims, leading to continued scrutiny from the international community.