The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have regained control of the presidential palace in Khartoum, according to reports from local broadcasters and international news agencies on Friday. Social media posts showed soldiers inside the heavily damaged palace, marking a significant development in the ongoing conflict between the SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Military Claims Victory

Sudan's Information Minister, Khaled al-Aiser, confirmed the military's success in a post on social media platform X, stating, "Today the flag is raised, the palace is back, and the journey continues until victory is complete." Army spokesman Nabil Abdallah echoed this sentiment in a statement broadcast on state television, claiming that SAF forces had "completely destroyed the enemy's fighters and equipment" and seized large quantities of weapons.

The presidential palace had been under RSF control for nearly two years. On Thursday, SAF troops were reported to have advanced within a few hundred meters of the palace, setting the stage for its recapture.

Escalating Conflict

The conflict between the SAF, led by army chief Abdel Fattah Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has devastated Sudan since April 2023. The fighting has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, creating one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises.

The World Health Organization estimates that at least 20,000 people have been killed, though other sources suggest the death toll could be as high as 150,000. According to the United Nations, over 10 million people have been displaced, making Sudan home to the largest displacement crisis globally.

Recent Developments

The French AFP news agency reported that SAF forces destroyed an RSF convoy of 30 vehicles attempting to withdraw southward, citing a military source. The SAF has been making steady progress against the RSF in recent months, claiming to have regained control of key areas in the capital, Khartoum.

In August, a UN-backed assessment declared a famine in the Zamzam refugee camp in Darfur, a region largely controlled by the RSF. The ongoing instability has exacerbated food shortages and humanitarian suffering, with millions facing acute hunger.

International Concern

The conflict in Sudan has drawn limited international attention despite its devastating impact. The UN and humanitarian organizations continue to call for urgent aid and a resolution to the crisis, but the fighting shows no signs of abating.

As the SAF consolidates its control over Khartoum, the future of Sudan remains uncertain, with millions of civilians caught in the crossfire of a protracted and brutal conflict.