Sudanese army takes control presidential palace in Khartoum

KHARTOUM, Sudan

The Sudanese army said on Friday it had taken control of the Presidential Palace and central Khartoum after days of fighting with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

For weeks, the Presidential Palace and central Khartoum have been major battlegrounds between the army and the RSF.

Clashes intensified on March 16 when armoured corps troops reached the military’s General Command and took control of areas near the palace.

This effectively cut off supply lines to RSF forces in central Khartoum, isolating them from other RSF deployments in the southern and eastern parts of the capital.

Army spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah said in a statement received by our correspondent: “In a historic and heroic victory, our forces today completed their successes in Khartoum, crushing the remnants of the Daglo terrorist militia in central Khartoum, the Arab Market, the Presidential Palace buildings, a symbol of the sovereignty and dignity of the Sudanese nation, and ministry buildings.”

He said the army had destroyed enemy fighters and equipment and seized large quantities of RSF equipment and weapons in those areas.

The spokesman reiterated the military’s commitment to continue fighting “until victory is achieved by clearing every inch of our land from the militia and its supporters.”

Military-affiliated platforms broadcast videos showing army soldiers entering the Presidential Palace and deploying inside. The videos also showed captured RSF fighters.

Since the start of the conflict on April 15, 2023, the RSF had controlled the Presidential Palace, the ministry complex, and the entire central Khartoum area and the capital’s commercial hub.

The palace has been repeatedly bombed by army warplanes and drones, sustaining heavy damage.

In recent months, the army has made significant gains, taking control of Bahri, East Nile, and large parts of Khartoum and Ombada in western Omdurman from the RSF.