The RSF dismissed claims of defeat, framing their withdrawal from Khartoum as a tactical decision.

Sudan’s army chief, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, announced the “liberation” of Khartoum after expelling the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from the capital.

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In a televised address from the presidential palace, he proclaimed, “Khartoum is free,” marking a turning point in the nearly two-year conflict. The army regained control of strategic sites, including the airport and key neighborhoods, for the first time since April 2023.

The RSF dismissed claims of defeat, framing their withdrawal from Khartoum as a tactical decision. Adviser Basha Tabiq said the relocation to Omdurman was driven by strategic, logistical, and operational factors, asserting their combat capabilities remain intact. However, the move signals a shift in battlefield dynamics as government forces reclaim territory.

Sudan’s government, now based in Port Sudan, has intensified military operations beyond Khartoum. Recent advances include retaking control of critical regions like Al-Jazira, White Nile, North Kordofan, Sennar, and Blue Nile states. These gains highlight the army’s momentum, though the RSF retains influence in other areas.

The war between al-Burhan’s army and RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo has caused over 20,000 deaths (per the UN) and displaced 14 million people. Independent studies estimate fatalities at 130,000. The conflict has ravaged 13 of Sudan’s 18 states, with millions facing famine due to disrupted aid and food shortages. International bodies continue urging an immediate ceasefire.

UNICEF issued an urgent alert about 825,000 children trapped in Darfur’s El Fasher and Zamzam camp, calling the situation a “living hell.” Half of the 1.65 million people in these areas are minors, enduring severe malnutrition, water scarcity, and violence. Over 457,000 children suffer acute malnutrition, with 146,000 at risk of death without urgent intervention.

Despite the army’s proclaimed victories, Sudan’s humanitarian disaster shows no signs of abating. The RSF’s continued presence in strategic zones and the government’s fragmented control underscore the conflict’s complexity. With millions displaced, starving, and lacking basic services, international calls for aid and diplomacy grow louder, yet tangible progress remains elusive.

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