Sudan Army Reclaims Presidential Palace Amidst Ongoing Conflict with Rebels

The Sudanese Armed Forces have regained the Presidential Palace in Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces, a significant development amidst ongoing conflict. This war has resulted in over 28,000 deaths and millions of displaced individuals. Despite this victory, humanitarian concerns persist, with both factions accused of committing war crimes amidst the violence.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have successfully regained control of the Presidential Palace in Khartoum, marking a pivotal triumph against the militia that has been disrupting the nation. The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has led to a significant humanitarian crisis impacting millions. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data initiative reports over 28,000 fatalities and 11 million displaced individuals as a result of the ongoing violence.

Since the commencement of hostilities, the RSF has notably besieged Khartoum. On Friday, government officials announced that SAF troops had taken back the Presidential Palace and would persist in their efforts to secure the capital further. Information Minister Khalid Al-Aiser stated, “Today the flag is raised, the palace is back, and the journey continues until victory is complete.”

Despite this reclaiming of territory, parts of Khartoum remain under RSF control, and the RSF extends its influence to the western, southern, and central regions of Sudan, particularly Darfur, an area rife with ethnically driven violence. In contrast, the SAF governs the eastern and northern regions.

Regaining Khartoum holds significant strategic importance for the SAF, especially as the RSF had made attempts to create a rival governance structure. Unfortunately, the prolonged conflict has often resulted in civilians facing perilous conditions. The United Nations Human Rights Office spokesperson, Seif Magango, reported numerous civilian casualties due to ongoing military actions, stating, “Dozens of civilians, including local humanitarian volunteers, have been killed by artillery shelling and aerial bombardment.”

Both factions have been accused of heinous crimes, including genocide against the RSF, as noted by the United States earlier this year. Recent reports from UNICEF have also implicated SAF in various atrocities, including severe sexual violence against children, even as young as one year old.

Magango disclosed alarming reports of RSF and allied militias involved in extrajudicial killings and other serious violations, including raiding homes and looting essential supplies from community resources. Additionally, there are accounts of looting and criminal actions by SAF forces in Khartoum North and East Nile, contributing to a pervasive atmosphere of fear and repression in these affected regions.

In conclusion, the Sudanese Armed Forces have made significant advances by reclaiming the Presidential Palace in Khartoum, signifying a crucial point in their conflict with the RSF. However, the toll on civilians and the humanitarian crisis remains dire, with rampant accusations of war crimes against both factions. The ongoing violence underscores the urgent need for international intervention and humanitarian assistance as Sudan grapples with instability and suffering among its populace.

Original Source: www.wral.com