Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, declared that the capital city, Khartoum, is now free from the control of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Speaking from inside the Presidential Palace, Al-Burhan praised the efforts of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and supporting forces for their success in expelling the RSF from key locations in the capital.
In a televised address on Wednesday, Al-Burhan announced, “Khartoum is free, and the matter is over,” as he walked through the palace, accompanied by military officers and soldiers.
His statement marked a significant victory for the army in the ongoing conflict against the RSF, which had seized control of large parts of Khartoum since April 2023.
According to the media office of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, Al-Burhan arrived in Khartoum earlier in the day via helicopter, landing at Khartoum International Airport.
His arrival marked the first aircraft landing at the airport since the conflict began last year. Upon arrival, he inspected military units securing the airport before proceeding to the Presidential Palace.
Earlier on Wednesday, the SAF announced that it had retaken Khartoum International Airport from the RSF, which had held it since mid-April 2023. The army also secured the paramilitary forces’ last major stronghold in the capital, the Taiba Al-Hasanab camp in Jabal Awliya city, south of Khartoum.
The capture of these strategic locations further strengthened the army’s hold over the capital.
Since the beginning of 2024, the Sudanese army has made significant territorial gains, particularly in Omdurman, north of Khartoum. These advances allowed the SAF to reclaim Greater Omdurman, shifting the balance of power in its favour.
A large-scale military offensive launched in late September, backed by airstrikes, enabled the army to regain control of key parts of central Khartoum and western Bahri.
Beyond the capital, the army also made progress in other regions. In early October, it reclaimed most of Sinnar State and, on 11 January, recaptured Wad Madani, the capital of Gezira State. However, several smaller towns remain under RSF control.
On Friday, the SAF announced that it had regained control of the Presidential Palace and key government buildings in central Khartoum. The Presidential Palace had been one of the RSF’s most prominent strongholds in the capital.
The conflict between the SAF and the RSF has been ongoing since April 2023, causing immense destruction and loss of life. According to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED), a crisis monitoring group cited by the United Nations, at least 29,683 people have been killed in the fighting.
The International Organization for Migration estimates that over 15 million people have been displaced, both internally and externally, as a result of the conflict.
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