Khartoum State Freed from RSF Control Amid Ongoing Conflict
The conflict has led to widespread destruction, displacement of millions, and thousands of deaths, with both sides accused of war crimes, and the situation remains dire for the people of Sudan, with the need for a peaceful resolution and humanitarian aid becoming increasingly urgent.
Sudan's army has announced that the state of Khartoum is "completely free" of the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after weeks of battles, marking a significant victory in the ongoing conflict that has ravaged the country since April 2023.
The conflict between the army and the RSF has resulted in thousands of deaths and displaced millions, with the UN estimating over 20,000 deaths and 15 million displaced, while US scholars put the death toll at around 130,000. The army's recapture of the strategic area of Attrun in North Darfur from the RSF is seen as a significant blow to the group's efforts to control the region, which lies along a critical route linking the Northern State with North Darfur and extending towards the border with Egypt, Libya, and Chad.
The General Command of the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) made the statement on Tuesday, saying the state, which includes the capital Khartoum and its twin city Omdurman, is now "completely free of rebels". The announcement comes after the army recaptured the presidential palace and major urban centers in March, including the Khartoum airport. The army has been making gradual advances in the Salha area of southern Omdurman, taking control of the area from the RSF in the early hours of Tuesday morning.
The civil war, now in its third year, has resulted in over 12 million people being forcibly displaced, with tens of thousands killed and many exposed to hunger and disease. The army has vowed to continue efforts to liberate every inch of the country from rebels, traitors, and agents, as the conflict continues to strain diplomatic relations with neighboring countries and the international community.