Soldiers with Sudan’s military share videos celebrating at retaken presidential palace in Khartoum
Sudan’s military has said it has recaptured the presidential palace in the country's capital of Khartoum from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after nearly two years of fighting.
The capture means RSF fighters, led by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, have been largely pushed out of Khartoum since the war began in April 2023.
The palace, surrounded by key government buildings, is a symbolic stronghold. However, the RSF still controls parts of western Darfur and other regions, meaning the war is far from over.
Sudan's Information Minister, Khaled al-Aiser, announced the takeover on X, he said: “Today the flag is raised, the palace is back and the journey continues until victory is complete.”
Palace fall is a symbolic and strategic moment
The fall of the Republican Palace, a key government compound along the Nile, marks another gain for Sudan’s military in its fight against the RSF.
Gunfire was heard across the capital on Friday, though it was unclear whether it was fighting or celebration.
RSF-linked politician Suleiman Sandal admitted the military had taken the palace, calling it part of “the ups and downs” of history.
The RSF later insisted its forces remained nearby and were still battling troops.
A reported RSF drone strike on the palace killed soldiers and state media journalists.
Meanwhile, UNICEF condemned the looting of food aid for malnourished children at Al Bashir Hospital on Khartoum’s outskirts, warning that supplies have been blocked for over three months, leaving civilians without food, medicine, or essentials.
The agency has said the conflict created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis.
The war has killed more than 28,000 people, displaced millions, and pushed parts of Sudan into famine, with some families resorting to eating grass to survive.
Some estimates put the death toll even higher.
Both the military and RSF face accusations of human rights abuses, which they deny.
Before leaving office, US President Joe Biden’s administration declared that the RSF was committing genocide.
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