Sudan's Military Gains Ground in Capital Amid Ongoing Conflict

As Sudan's military regains control of central Khartoum, the conflict's grim toll on the nation becomes apparent after two years of fighting.

In a dramatic shift in the dynamics of the ongoing civil war in Sudan, military forces have successfully recaptured key locations in the capital, Khartoum, including the presidential palace. The recent offensive against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.) comes as the army seeks to eradicate the remnants of resistance two years after conflict erupted.

The scene was harrowing as a New York Times team became the first Western journalists to access central Khartoum since the war began. They observed soldiers grimly gathering in the damaged presidential palace—once a symbol of power, now marked by the violence that has engulfed the nation. As the soldiers prepared for action, some clutching weapons like rifles and rocket launchers, the weight of the war's devastation was palpable.

The military's recent victories on the battlefield have notably shifted control throughout the city, with the army taking over essential installations including the Central Bank and the headquarters of the national intelligence service. The battle over Khartoum has left hundreds dead, and with the R.S.F. now facing mounting pressure, the military’s renewed strength could mark a critical turning point as they aim to solidify their dominance.

Yet, amidst this transition, there is scarce optimism for peace. Soldiers expressed their determination to reclaim their nation from what they termed 'mercenaries', reiterating a contentious history where the army had once cultivated the R.S.F. but now finds itself in direct competition. The ongoing conflict leaves little indication of an imminent resolution, keeping a nation in distress firmly in a state of uncertainty as hostilities continue.