Sudanese Army Recaptures Presidential Palace, Intensifies Battle with RSF

The Sudanese army has recaptured the presidential palace in Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marking a significant defeat for the paramilitaries. Following this, the RSF launched drone attacks and vowed to continue resistance. The ongoing conflict has resulted in extensive casualties and displacement, exacerbating a nationwide humanitarian crisis.

The Sudanese army successfully recaptured the presidential palace in Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marking a significant setback for the paramilitary group. The operation was followed by a series of deadly drone attacks from the RSF, which resulted in the deaths of three journalists covering the event. According to an army source, the journalists were killed during an RSF drone strike that also injured several army personnel.

In response, the RSF announced a “lightning operation” targeting the palace, claiming to have killed over 89 soldiers and destroyed various military assets. Witnesses described a tumultuous battle ongoing, with the RSF stating that the fight for the Republican Palace was far from over, despite the army’s reinforcements celebrating within its walls.

The conflict between Sudan’s rival military factions has been ongoing since April 15, 2023. Initial clashes saw much of Khartoum seized by the RSF, with the regular army struggling against the paramilitary group’s agility and speed. The war has resulted in significant loss of life and has displaced more than 12 million individuals, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.

Recent developments suggest a shift in momentum for the army, particularly following a successful counteroffensive late last year that stemmed from a local commander’s defection. A retired general commented that the palace’s recapture represents a serious blow to the RSF, indicating a potential withdrawal from the capital.

While the army has gained control of the presidential palace, RSF fighters maintain a presence within central Khartoum and continue to shell army-held neighborhoods. Military experts indicate the RSF has suffered severe losses, including elite forces, possibly impacting their operational capabilities.

Despite the army’s advances, RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Daglo has vowed to persist in the fight against the army, pledging never to concede ground. Reports indicate the army aims to remove remaining RSF fighters from the city center and is determined to achieve complete victory over the paramilitary group.

However, the situation remains complex, with large regions of Darfur and the south still under RSF control. Concurrently, the humanitarian crisis escalates with millions facing food insecurity and impending famine, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to the conflict’s repercussions.

The recent recapture of the presidential palace by the Sudanese army signifies a pivotal moment in the ongoing conflict with the RSF. This victory, however, does not mark the end of hostilities, as the RSF continues to muster resistance from strategic positions in and around Khartoum. The grave humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict necessitates urgent action to address the dire needs of displaced populations and those facing famine.

Original Source: www.nbcrightnow.com