Sudanese Military Recaptures Presidential Palace in Al-Fashir After Months of Fighting

Sudan’s army has reclaimed the presidential palace, signaling a turning point in the country’s ongoing conflict. After months of intense fighting, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have retaken control of this symbolic center of power in the capital city of Khartoum from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The presidential palace, which had been under RSF control for over a year, fell back into army hands following a large-scale offensive that began in May. Army leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan marked this victory by returning to Khartoum for the first time since the war erupted in April 2023, appearing in the capital’s Nile Street neighborhood to celebrate with jubilant supporters.

This military success represents a significant shift in momentum for the SAF, which had previously lost ground to the RSF across much of the sprawling capital region. The army has now regained control of strategic areas including the general command headquarters, the state television building, and parts of downtown Khartoum.

A Humanitarian Crisis Continues to Unfold

Despite these battlefield developments, Sudan’s humanitarian situation remains catastrophic. Since fighting broke out between the army under al-Burhan and the RSF led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (known as “Hemedti”), the country has descended into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.

The conflict has displaced approximately 10 million people—nearly a quarter of Sudan’s population. Of these, over 2 million have fled to neighboring countries, while roughly 8 million remain internally displaced within Sudan’s borders. The United Nations reports that around 18 million Sudanese currently face acute hunger.

In the western Darfur region, where the RSF maintains control, ethnic violence has escalated dramatically. The paramilitary force and allied Arab militias have been accused of systematically targeting non-Arab communities, particularly the Masalit ethnic group. This has prompted allegations of genocide from human rights organizations and the United States government.

The war has transformed once-vibrant Khartoum into a shadow of its former self. Many neighborhoods lie in ruins, with utilities and services largely non-functional. The RSF has systematically looted homes, businesses, and even hospitals throughout areas under their control.

Despite recent military gains by the army, experts caution that the conflict is far from resolved. While al-Burhan’s forces now hold the symbolic presidential palace, the RSF maintains control over significant portions of Khartoum and its surrounding areas. The group has established dominance in Darfur and retains strong positions in key economic centers.

International peace efforts have so far yielded little progress. Multiple ceasefire attempts have collapsed, and diplomatic initiatives, including recent negotiations in Switzerland, have failed to produce meaningful results. As Sudan enters its second year of war, civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence while the country’s future remains deeply uncertain.