With the civil war in Sudan approaching its third year, the military's advance on the presidential palace marks a potential turning point, while civilians remain ensnared in the ongoing conflict that has transformed the city into a battleground.
The Fierce Struggle for Khartoum: Stakes Heighten in Sudan's Civil War
The Fierce Struggle for Khartoum: Stakes Heighten in Sudan's Civil War
As the Sudanese military presses on toward the presidential palace, the humanitarian crisis deepens amid escalating violence in Khartoum.
In a gripping escalation of Sudan's civil war, the Sudanese military has intensified its offensive on the presidential palace in Khartoum, as fighting approaches its third year. On March 21, 2025, video footage surfaced showing military forces advancing close to the palace compound controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.), marking what many believe could be a critical shift in the conflict.
Strategically situated near the Nile, the palace has been a focal point of fighting since the R.S.F. established dominance in Khartoum in early 2023. Capturing this stronghold would not only serve as an emblematic triumph for the Sudanese army but also bolster its ongoing efforts to reclaim control over the capital from its paramilitary adversaries.
The violence escalated dramatically on Thursday when the army executed a sudden ambush on an R.S.F. convoy just south of the palace. Soldiers reported hearing continuous gunfire throughout the day, painting a stark picture of urban warfare where civilians are caught in the crossfire.
Sgt. Maj. Ismail Hassan, a commander of a sniper unit, was observed taking stock of the R.S.F. positions across the river, embodying the tensions that have gripped Sudan's capital. Meanwhile, R.S.F. leader Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan remains adamant about resisting any military advances, vowing in a recent speech not to retreat from the palace.
As artillery exchanges continue and humanitarian conditions worsen, the plight of Khartoum's inhabitants has become increasingly dire. The international community watches closely, aware that this battle could shape the future of Sudan as both sides prepare for what promises to be a pivotal clash in this enduring conflict.
Strategically situated near the Nile, the palace has been a focal point of fighting since the R.S.F. established dominance in Khartoum in early 2023. Capturing this stronghold would not only serve as an emblematic triumph for the Sudanese army but also bolster its ongoing efforts to reclaim control over the capital from its paramilitary adversaries.
The violence escalated dramatically on Thursday when the army executed a sudden ambush on an R.S.F. convoy just south of the palace. Soldiers reported hearing continuous gunfire throughout the day, painting a stark picture of urban warfare where civilians are caught in the crossfire.
Sgt. Maj. Ismail Hassan, a commander of a sniper unit, was observed taking stock of the R.S.F. positions across the river, embodying the tensions that have gripped Sudan's capital. Meanwhile, R.S.F. leader Lt. Gen. Mohamed Hamdan remains adamant about resisting any military advances, vowing in a recent speech not to retreat from the palace.
As artillery exchanges continue and humanitarian conditions worsen, the plight of Khartoum's inhabitants has become increasingly dire. The international community watches closely, aware that this battle could shape the future of Sudan as both sides prepare for what promises to be a pivotal clash in this enduring conflict.
