Sudan army completes takeover of Khartoum after chaotic RSF retreat
Residents celebrate as long occupation of capital ends
The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have completed their takeover of Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) withdrew under pressure, leaving behind some fighters, who were surrounded and captured or killed.
The retreat sparked celebrations among residents hoping to return to their homes as the RSF occupation ends. While the RSF frames the move as a tactical “repositioning,” the loss of control in the capital marks a significant defeat for the group.
In the capital region, the RSF now only control parts of western and southern Omdurman. The RSF’s decline in central Sudan began with the SAF’s recapture of Sinja, the capital of Sennar State, in November 2024, followed by Al Jazira State’s capital Wad Madani in early January. The latest SAF gains in Khartoum came after the lifting of a two-year siege on the army’s general command in late January and the RSF’s expulsion from East Nile locality in early March.
The SAF then launched an offensive to retake the capital, seizing the presidential palace a week ago before pushing into RSF-held areas in eastern and southern Khartoum where organized resistance by the RSF quickly collapsed, as many fighters had already left the city via the only route open to them, the Jebel Aulia Bridge.
On Wednesday, videos filmed by Sudanese army fighters and geolocated by Sudan War Monitor confirmed the army had regained control of key sites, including Khartoum International Airport, eastern and southeastern neighborhoods, the Yarmuk military-industrial complex, and the headquarters of the Central Reserve Police. On Thursday, they captured Jebel Aulia, a city south of Khartoum that the RSF after a battle in November 2023.
There were minimal signs of heavy combat during the SAF’s final push, but the takeover follows sustained SAF assaults – part of what the SAF has framed as the third phase of their offensive to dislodge the RSF from its remaining strongholds. Backed by drones and warplanes, and with a significant manpower advantage, SAF pushed into Khartoum along multiple axes over the past few months.
The following video shows Sudanese army soldiers at the RSF base in Taiba Hasanab in southern Khartoum. Location: 15°20'22.80"N 32°34'10.99"E.
Army Chief Abdelfattah al-Burhan declared Khartoum “free” from the RSF after landing by helicopter at the Khartoum International Airport – the first such flight since the war began – before proceeding to the presidential palace.
After losing control of Khartoum, the RSF issued a statement asserting that it was not defeated, but had made a strategic decision to “reposition” its forces in order to achieve military objectives and expand its presence on other fronts:
“Our forces stand firm, like an unyielding rock against all conspiracies, driven by relentless determination and an indomitable will. The valiant soldiers of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue their battle with unmatched bravery and resolve, drawing on deep expertise and evolving tactics that outmaneuver and shatter the enemy.
“We loudly declare that our forces have never lost a battle; rather, they have strategically repositioned and expanded across the battlefronts to secure their military objectives, paving the way for the ultimate resolution of this conflict in favor of the Sudanese people…”
Implications for the RSF
While the RSF has downplayed the significance of its defeats in Khartoum, the development is a blow to morale and could amplify already existing problems of cohesion and manpower within the paramilitary.
One indication of this is a recent audio message by the RSF’s West Darfur military commander, Abdulrahman Juma’a, who expressed frustration over the lack of morale and motivation among the forces, and the absence of leaders from the frontlines.
He said:
“After this, I believe every leader must step forward to raise the morale of the RSF soldiers. I agree with the youth, because when a leader doesn’t support their forces, when they don’t support their loyalists, morale drops. It’s crucial that we, as leaders, show up to support our people, to support our heroes,” he said.
Expected return of civilians to their homes
The fall of Khartoum to the Sudanese army paves the way for the return of millions of displaced Sudanese citizens to their homes. However, returns could be limited due to extensive damage to homes and infrastructure, economic collapse, and lack of public services in war-scarred areas.
Approximately 14 million Sudanese have been displaced both within the country and to neighboring countries. Following the Sudanese army's announcement of Khartoum’s “liberation,” celebrations erupted across Omdurman, Port Sudan, and other regions, as well as in neighboring Egypt, where millions of Sudanese refugees reside.
According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) has decreased by 2.4 percent over the last three months, marking the first reduction since the conflict began nearly two years ago. This decline is largely attributed to the return of displaced people to their original homes.
“While many people are eager to return home, the conditions for safe and sustainable return and integration are not yet in place,” said Mohamed Refaat, Chief of Mission for IOM Sudan. “Basic services including healthcare, protection, education, and food are scarce, and the lack of functional infrastructure and financial capacity will make it difficult for families to rebuild their lives.”
The IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) update estimates that there are approximately 11.3 million internally displaced persons in Sudan, including those displaced both before and after the start of the conflict. The majority of IDPs come from Khartoum, South Darfur, and North Darfur. Nearly four million people have crossed into neighboring countries, with the largest numbers fleeing to Egypt, South Sudan, and Chad.
While the war appears to be subsiding in central Sudan, the return of displaced persons to regions like Darfur remains unlikely. Fighting is ongoing mostly in North Darfur State, particularly around the capital El Fasher.
Videos
Below we include some videos filmed in Khartoum and the area in recent days.
In the video below, RSF fighters and families are seen fleeing west towards southern Omdurman across Jebel Awlia Dam Bridge.
In the video below, residents of Al-Sahafa celebrate on the streets of the neighborhood and were joined by senior commander of the SAF and commander of the armored corps.
In the video below, Sudanese citizens celebrating on the streets of Faisal in Cairo, Egypt.
Sudanese citizens in Dar Al Salam in Khartoum welcoming the army following takeover of the area from the paramilitary group RSF.
In the video below, SAF soldiers appear in front of the 1st Infantry Brigade in Bageir: 15°24'33.27"N 32°42'45.05"E.
In the video below, SAF soldiers are seen in front of the Central Reserve Police headquarters in Khartoum. 15°25'47.52"N 32°30'19.15"Eز
In this video, a SAF soldier filming could be heard talking in the background inside the Jebel Awlia market: 15°14'29.51"N 32°30'8.73"E.
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