Sudan’s military has regained the Republican Palace from rival RSF after two years of conflict, marking a significant battlefield victory while the RSF claims control in other areas. The ongoing war has resulted in substantial humanitarian crises and severe allegations of human rights abuses linked to both factions.
Sudan’s military recently announced the reclamation of the Republican Palace in Khartoum, signaling a pivotal change in the ongoing conflict between competing forces. Two years of relentless fighting concluded with soldiers claiming control over the palace, which serves as a symbol of governmental authority in Sudan’s capital. Videos circulating on social media featured military personnel celebrating their victory within the compound, echoing sentiments reflective of religious fervor as they declared, “God is the greatest!”.
Khaled al-Aiser, the information minister, confirmed this significant achievement via a post on social media platform X. In his announcement, he emphasized that “the flag is raised, the palace is back and the journey continues until victory is complete.” This moment on the 21st day of Ramadan marks a crucial advance for the Sudanese military under the leadership of General Abdel-Fattah Burhan, further asserting its dominance as it expels the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from Khartoum.
Despite these advancements, the RSF, led by General Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, remains potent, controlling other regions within Sudan. Recent claims by the RSF indicate they have taken the city of al-Maliha in North Darfur, although the army has disputed this, maintaining that fighting continues in that area. The ongoing conflict has wrought grave humanitarian crises, leading to the death of over 28,000 individuals and displacing millions as desperation grips many, forcing families to resort to survival tactics including scavenging for food.
The Republican Palace, historically significant, has always represented the epicenter of Sudan’s political landscape since the British colonial era. The military’s siege against the palace has been persistent since the start of the war, which commenced following a coup by Burhan and Dagalo in 2021 that ousted a brief democratic transition. Subsequently, escalating violence has led to numerous human rights violations by both factions involved in the conflict. Allegations of abuses persist, with international bodies attributing genocide to the actions of the RSF. The military and RSF have both rejected these claims of transgressions, although the conflict continues to evolve with increasing severity.
In summary, Sudan’s military has ostensibly regained control of the Republican Palace, a pivotal location in Khartoum, signaling a notable development in the ongoing conflict against the RSF. However, despite this military gain, the RSF maintains a presence in other parts of the country, raising concerns about continued violence and humanitarian crises. The situation remains precarious, with severe implications for civilian safety and stability in the region as the conflict further escalates.
Original Source: apnews.com
