SAF spokesman Brigadier-General Nabil Abdallah stated that the army had “completely destroyed” RSF forces in downtown Khartoum, including the area surrounding the Grand Market and the presidential palace, and claimed significant weapon seizures.
“In an immortal heroic battle, our forces today crowned their successes in the Khartoum fronts, where they managed to crush the remnants of the Al-Daglo militia terrorists in central Khartoum, the Arab Market, the Presidential Palace (a symbol of the sovereignty and dignity of the Sudanese nation), and the ministries,” said Abdallah.
“Thanks to Allah’s help and guidance, our forces completely destroyed the enemy’s personnel and equipment and seized large quantities of their weapons and gear in the mentioned areas. We dedicate these victories to our patient people and confirm that we will continue advancing on all battlefronts until victory is achieved by purging every inch of our land from the filth of the militia and its allies,” he added.
Videos circulating on social media, with confirmed geolocation by Sudans Post, depict SAF soldiers celebrating inside and outside the palace, displaying flags and weapons amidst debris.
These developments mark a significant setback for the RSF, which had occupied the palace since fighting began in April 2023. The palace holds both symbolic and strategic importance in the capital.
The SAF has conducted a series of offensives in recent months, reasserting control over areas north and east of the Blue Nile River, including Bahri and East Nile localities.
The operation to retake the palace commenced on Sunday, involving efforts to isolate RSF forces located at the palace through aerial bombardments and ground assaults.
According to SAF sources, RSF attempts to retreat on Wednesday night were met with resistance and resulted in heavy losses.
Despite the SAF’s advances, which indicate a potential shift in the conflict’s dynamics within Khartoum, RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Daglo (Hemedti) vowed in a video address on Saturday to continue fighting.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has resulted in widespread displacement and a severe humanitarian crisis. Both the SAF and RSF have been accused of atrocities, and the United States has designated the RSF’s actions in Darfur as genocide.
The western power has also sanctioned both the army chief Abdelfattah Al-Burhan and Hemedti for atrocities committed by their sides.
The recapture of the presidential palace suggests a potential shift in the fighting towards RSF-controlled southern neighborhoods, including Gabra, Soba, and Jebel Awlia, where the RSF’s remaining supply route, the Jebel Awlia Dam bridge, is located.