Sudan’s Military Regains Control of Republican Palace Amid Ongoing Conflict
Sudan’s military has reclaimed the Republican Palace in Khartoum from rival RSF forces after two years of conflict. This advance marks a significant territorial gain for the military amid ongoing violence that has led to immense humanitarian challenges. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023, has resulted in widespread death and displacement, highlighting the urgent need for international assistance.
Sudan’s military has announced that it has regained control of the Republican Palace in Khartoum, which was the last remaining area in the capital held by the rival paramilitary forces, after nearly two years of conflict. Social media footage revealed soldiers inside the compound, indicating the date as the 21st day of Ramadan. A military captain confirmed this development in a video, as troops celebrated their advance.
The Republican Palace, which is historically significant and was the government seat, has suffered extensive damage during the ongoing war. The military’s reestablishment of control over this strategic location emphasizes their recent territorial gains led by army chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah Burhan, effectively expelling the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from Khartoum since the conflict erupted in April 2023.
The RSF, commanded by Gen. Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo, has not confirmed the loss of the palace. However, this setback is unlikely to halt the ongoing violence, as the RSF continues to maintain strongholds in other regions across Sudan. According to officials from the U.N. children’s agency, the conflict has produced the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with fatalities exceeding 28,000 and millions displaced.
Famine conditions are increasingly dire, forcing some families to resort to eating grass for survival. The Republican Palace has historical significance, having been the center of power during Sudan’s colonial period and the site of early independence proclamations in 1956. Over time, the Sudanese military has repeatedly targeted the palace, leading to its current destroyed state.
Sudan has endured significant instability since the downfall of longtime president Omar al-Bashir in 2019, followed by a tumultuous military coup in 2021 led by Burhan and Dagalo. The ongoing hostilities between these factions erupted in 2023, with Burhan’s forces making strategic advances against the RSF, capturing several key locations.
Historically, the RSF has been linked to human rights abuses, particularly during al-Bashir’s regime. The current conflict has similarly drawn accusations against both military factions, with U.S. officials previously labeling RSF activities as genocidal in nature. Both parties have denied these allegations, despite widespread reports of violations against civilian populations.
The military’s recapture of the Republican Palace marks a significant shift in Sudan’s ongoing conflict, raising concerns about escalating violence and humanitarian crises in the region. As both the military and RSF engage in brutal warfare, the impacts on civilian populations continue to worsen, demanding urgent international attention and intervention for humanitarian aid and conflict resolution.
Original Source: www.clickorlando.com
