Sudan Army Retakes Republican Palace, Key Capital Buildings From RSF/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Sudan’s military announced Saturday it had seized several strategic buildings in Khartoum, including the Central Bank and National Intelligence headquarters, just a day after reclaiming the Republican Palace from the Rapid Support Forces. The latest gains mark a major symbolic and tactical victory in the nearly two-year civil conflict. The war has devastated Sudan, killing over 28,000 and triggering mass displacement and famine.
Sudan Army Gains Ground: Quick Looks
- Military recaptures Sudan’s Republican Palace and multiple key government buildings
- National Intelligence HQ, Central Bank, and Corinthia Hotel also retaken
- Hundreds of RSF fighters reportedly killed during their retreat
- A drone attack on Friday killed two journalists and a military spokesperson
- Sudan’s army now eyes Khartoum International Airport, still held by RSF
- War has killed over 28,000, with famine and displacement worsening
- UN reports widespread atrocities, including mass rape and ethnic killings
- No immediate comment from the RSF on military advances
Sudan Army Retakes Republican Palace, Key Khartoum Buildings From RSF
Deep Look
Sudanese Military Retakes Strategic Buildings in Khartoum, Reclaims Control From Paramilitary RSF
Sudan’s armed forces announced major territorial gains in the capital on Saturday, securing control of key government buildings just one day after capturing the Republican Palace from the powerful paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The developments signal a shift in momentum in a brutal war that has devastated the country since April 2023.
Brigadier General Nabil Abdullah, spokesperson for the military, said troops successfully expelled RSF fighters from the headquarters of the National Intelligence Service, the Central Bank of Sudan, the Corinthia Hotel, and several educational and governmental facilities in central Khartoum.
“These are significant victories for the military and a clear indication of our advancing control over the capital,” Abdullah stated. He added that hundreds of RSF fighters were killed while attempting to flee the area. The RSF has not commented on the latest military claims.
Symbolic Victory at the Palace
The capture of the Republican Palace on Friday marked a major milestone in the conflict. Once the seat of Sudan’s pre-war government, it had been under RSF control since the war’s onset nearly two years ago. Its retaking is seen as both symbolic and strategic, representing the Sudanese army’s resurgent position in the conflict.
However, the moment was marred by tragedy. A drone attack on the palace—believed to have been carried out by RSF forces—killed two journalists and a driver from Sudanese state television. The army also confirmed the death of Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Ibrahim, a senior figure in the military’s media office.
Timeline of Escalation
Since April 2023, the RSF has occupied major installations in Khartoum, including the palace, state television headquarters, and the military’s General Command. They also transformed civilian homes into bases for launching attacks. In recent months, however, the military has regained momentum, gradually reclaiming territory in Khartoum and its adjoining cities—Omdurman and Khartoum North—as well as regions across the country.
In late January, army forces broke the RSF’s siege on the General Command, a move that paved the way for the recent recapture of the palace and surrounding zones.
With the Republican Palace secured, attention now turns to Khartoum International Airport, located just 2.5 kilometers southeast. The RSF has maintained control of the airport since the early days of the war. On Saturday, videos circulating on social media showed Sudanese soldiers moving along roads leading toward the site, raising speculation that a new offensive could be imminent.
Humanitarian Catastrophe
While the military boasts of territorial gains, Sudan continues to spiral into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The war has killed over 28,000 people, with other estimates suggesting significantly higher tolls. Millions have fled their homes, and famine is sweeping across parts of the country. In some areas, desperate families have resorted to eating grass for survival.
The conflict has also been marked by widespread atrocities. According to the United Nations and multiple international rights groups, both sides have committed acts amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity—particularly in the Darfur region. Reports detail mass rapes, ethnic cleansing, and deliberate attacks on civilians.
The international community has called repeatedly for a ceasefire, but efforts to negotiate peace have so far failed to produce lasting results. As the military pushes forward in Khartoum, observers remain wary of further violence and the impact on already suffering civilians.
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