Sudan’s Military Reclaims Republican Palace in Khartoum, Marking a Symbolic Victory Amidst Devastating Conflict
After nearly two years of intense fighting, Sudan’s military announced Friday the recapture of the Republican Palace in Khartoum, a significant strategic and symbolic victory against the rival paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The palace, once the heavily guarded bastion of the RSF within the capital, holds immense historical and political significance for Sudan. However, the military’s advancement does not signal an immediate end to the ongoing war, as the RSF maintains control over territory in the Darfur region and other parts of the country.
Videos circulating on social media depicted Sudanese soldiers inside the dilapidated palace, celebrating their accomplishment on the 21st day of Ramadan, which fell on Friday. A military officer, identified by his captain’s epaulettes, confirmed the presence of troops within the compound. The palace appeared to be in ruins, with broken tiles littering the ground. Soldiers, brandishing assault rifles and rocket-propelled grenade launchers, chanted "God is the greatest!" in jubilation.
Sudan’s information minister, Khaled al-Aiser, took to social media platform X to announce the military’s triumph. "Today the flag is raised, the palace is back, and the journey continues until victory is complete," he declared.
Following the announcement, curious residents ventured into the palace grounds, witnessing the devastation firsthand. Walls were riddled with bullet holes, and smears of blood led to the bodies of the deceased, hastily covered with blankets.
The fall of the Republican Palace, a compound located along the Nile River, carries both symbolic and strategic weight. Before the eruption of the war, it served as the seat of government and is immortalized on Sudanese banknotes and postage stamps. The military’s capture of the palace represents a substantial battlefield gain, adding to their recent advances under the leadership of army chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan.
The recapture of the palace also signifies the expulsion of the RSF fighters, led by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, from most of Khartoum. Despite the military’s victory, sporadic gunfire echoed throughout the capital on Friday, although it remained unclear whether it was related to ongoing clashes or celebratory displays.
Brig. Gen. Nabil Abdullah, a spokesperson for the Sudanese military, confirmed that its troops are in control of the palace, the surrounding ministry buildings, and the Arab Market situated south of the complex.
However, the RSF continues to hold Khartoum International Airport, located approximately 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) southeast of the palace, since the war’s onset in April 2023.
Suleiman Sandal, a politician with ties to the RSF, acknowledged the military’s seizure of the palace, characterizing it as part of "the ups and downs" of history. The RSF later issued a statement asserting its forces "are still present in the vicinity of the area, fighting bravely."
Reports also emerged of a drone attack on the palace, allegedly launched by the RSF, which resulted in the deaths of soldiers and journalists from Sudanese state television.
Meanwhile, the RSF claimed to have seized control of the Sudanese city of al-Maliha, a strategically important desert city in North Darfur, near the borders with Chad and Libya. The Sudanese military has acknowledged the fighting around al-Maliha but has not confirmed the city’s loss. Al-Maliha is located approximately 200 kilometers (125 miles) north of El Fasher, which remains under the control of the Sudanese military despite facing near-daily attacks from the RSF.
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis. The head of the U.N. children’s agency described the situation as the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. UNICEF separately condemned the looting of food aid intended for malnourished children at Al Bashir Hospital on the outskirts of Khartoum.
"Commercial supplies and humanitarian aid have been blocked for more than three months due to ongoing conflict along key routes," UNICEF warned. "The result is a severe shortage of food, medicine, and other essentials, with thousands of civilians trapped in active fighting."
The war has resulted in over 28,000 fatalities and forced millions of people to flee their homes. Some families have resorted to eating grass in a desperate attempt to survive as famine looms over parts of the country. Other estimates suggest a much higher death toll.
The Republican Palace holds a significant place in Sudan’s history. It became the seat of power during the British colonization of Sudan and witnessed the raising of the first flags of independent Sudan in 1956. The complex has also served as the main office of Sudan’s president and other high-ranking officials.
The Sudanese military has long targeted the palace and its grounds, subjecting the compound to shelling and gunfire.
Sudan has been mired in chaos and instability since a popular uprising led to the removal of longtime autocratic President Omar al-Bashir in 2019. A transition to democracy was disrupted when Burhan and Dagalo orchestrated a military coup in 2021.
The RSF and Sudan’s military engaged in open conflict in 2023. Since the beginning of the year, Burhan’s forces, comprising the Sudanese military and allied militias, have made gains against the RSF. They recaptured a crucial refinery north of Khartoum and advanced on RSF positions around the capital. These clashes have resulted in an increase in civilian casualties.
Al-Bashir faces charges at the International Criminal Court for allegedly orchestrating a genocidal campaign in the Darfur region in the early 2000s, using the Janjaweed militia, the precursor to the RSF. Rights groups and the U.N. have accused the RSF and allied Arab militias of targeting ethnic African groups in the current conflict.
Since the war began, both the Sudanese military and the RSF have faced accusations of human rights abuses. The U.S. State Department declared that the RSF is committing genocide. Both the military and the RSF have denied these allegations.
