After capturing the presidential palace, the Sudanese army successfully gained control of new strategic locations in the capital, Khartoum. However, this does not mark the end of the war, as a former UN official stated that the army’s successes would likely force the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to retreat to their stronghold in Darfur.
On Saturday, March 22, 2025, Sudanese army spokesperson Nabil Abdullah announced that the armed forces had secured vital sites in Khartoum, including the Sudan Central Bank, the National Museum, Sudan University, Friendship Hall, and the Cooperative Tower. These advances were reported by Sudan News.
Abdullah noted that RSF suffered heavy casualties while attempting to withdraw from certain areas in central Khartoum, highlighting the escalating intensity of the conflict in the region.
The RSF has not immediately acknowledged its losses, which suggests that fighting will likely continue. The RSF and its allies still maintain control over other territories across Sudan.
Abdullah also stated that army forces expelled RSF troops from key locations such as the National Intelligence headquarters and Corinthia Hotel in central Khartoum. This information was reported by the Associated Press.
Separately, a drone attack on Friday targeting the presidential palace reportedly killed two journalists and a driver working for state television, according to Sudan’s Ministry of Information. Additionally, army spokesperson Abdullah confirmed that Lieutenant Colonel Hassan Ibrahim, who worked in the army’s media office, was killed during this attack.
The RSF is believed to be behind this drone assault as part of its efforts to reclaim lost positions in Khartoum.
The army’s success will force the Rapid Support Forces to withdraw to Darfur
Meanwhile, Volker Perthes, the former UN envoy to Sudan, stated that the recent military successes achieved by the Sudanese army would force the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to withdraw to their stronghold in the Darfur region in the western part of the country.
Perthes said in a statement to the Associated Press (AP): “The army has achieved an important and significant victory in Khartoum, both militarily and politically,” adding that the army will soon clear the capital and surrounding areas of RSF forces.
However, this progress does not mean the end of the war, as the RSF still controls territories in the western Darfur region and other areas.
Perthes added, “The Rapid Support Forces will be largely confined to Darfur… We will return to the early 2000s,” referring to the conflict between rebel groups and the Khartoum government, which was led by former President Omar al-Bashir.
Ongoing War and Worsening Humanitarian Crisis
Despite the Sudanese army’s advances in Khartoum, the conflict does not appear to be nearing its end, as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) still control large parts of Darfur and other areas. Since the outbreak of fighting between the two sides in April 2023, the war has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of millions both within Sudan and abroad, amid warnings from international organizations of an unprecedented humanitarian catastrophe in the country57.
A source from the Rapid Support Forces told AFP, “Our forces are now engaged in a fierce battle at the northern entrance of Airport Street. Since yesterday (Friday) evening and this morning (Saturday), our forces have withdrawn from some positions in central Khartoum, but the battle is not over yet.”
It’s worth noting that the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces have been fighting since April 2023 for control of the country, resulting in a humanitarian crisis, internal and external displacement, and thousands of deaths, according to UNICE
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