The Sudanese army has made significant territorial gains in the battle for Khartoum, marking its biggest victory in nearly two years of conflict against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitaries. Reports indicate that the army has recaptured large parts of the city, including key sites such as the mint, where national currency is printed. Despite these advances, the RSF still controls most of Khartoum proper, while the army now dominates Omdurman, Bahri, and surrounding areas.
The turning point for the army appears to have been its victory in Gezira state, a crucial agricultural and logistical hub. This success has given military leader Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan confidence that Khartoum will soon be under full government control. “Very soon there will be no rebels in Khartoum,” he declared on Tuesday, signaling an aggressive push to end the RSF’s siege on the capital.
However, the humanitarian crisis continues to deepen. Aid agencies warn that Sudan is now experiencing the world’s worst humanitarian disaster, with over 12 million people displaced and thousands of civilians killed. Famine has taken hold, with UN-backed researchers estimating that over 100,000 people in Khartoum alone are suffering from severe hunger. The war between Gen Burhan and his former deputy-turned-rival, Mohamed Hamdan “Hemedti” Dagalo, has left a trail of devastation across the country.
Both warring sides have been accused of committing grave atrocities. The RSF, in particular, has been implicated in genocide in Darfur, mass killings, sexual violence, and looting. Residents of recently liberated areas have welcomed the army’s arrival, hopeful that RSF brutality will finally come to an end. Yet, fears persist regarding the military’s conduct. In Wad Madani, which was recaptured in January, reports emerged of summary executions and retaliatory attacks against individuals accused of collaborating with the RSF.
These fears extend to Khartoum, where residents worry about potential reprisals. “Some of them led fighters to people’s homes. Others stole property, terrorized people—even held women against their will,” a doctor referred to as Mustafa told the BBC. “Are they terrified of what is to come? Of course.”
As Sudan’s future hangs in the balance, civilians caught in the crossfire can do little but wait. While military victories may reshape the battlefield, the real battle remains: securing peace and rebuilding a nation shattered by war.
