Paramilitary fighters from Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (R.S.F.) began a significant withdrawal from the capital, Khartoum, on Wednesday, following nearly two years of conflict that has devastated the city.
The military's capture of Khartoum represents a pivotal moment in what is currently the largest war in Africa. Analysts suggest that the R.S.F. is likely to retreat to its stronghold in Darfur, located in the western region of the country.
Surveillance drone footage released by the military showed hundreds of R.S.F. fighters crossing a dam on the Nile at Jebel Aulia, which was their last remaining escape route.
Brig. Gen. Nabil Abdullah, a military spokesperson, announced that the military had taken control of a significant R.S.F. camp near the dam, stating, “This was their last remaining camp in Khartoum.” He added that only a few remnants of the R.S.F. remain scattered in various locations, and they will soon be dealt with.
The conflict erupted nearly two years ago between the two generals leading Sudan's military and the R.S.F., who were previously allies. Their dispute centered around a plan for the integration of R.S.F. troops into the regular military.
The ongoing fighting has resulted in an estimated 150,000 deaths and the displacement of more than 13 million individuals, contributing to the largest displacement crisis in the world. Many refugees have recounted experiences of violence, including rapes, massacres, and starvation.
Civilians in Khartoum celebrated as Sudanese military forces advanced into southern areas of the city shortly after the R.S.F. withdrawal. In Kalakla, located 10 miles south of the city center, residents gathered in the streets to cheer for the military forces arriving on motorbikes.
Similar scenes of jubilation were reported in various neighborhoods closer to the city center, as verified by multiple sources. The R.S.F.'s unexpected retreat followed the military's capture of the presidential palace in central Khartoum, a vital strategic victory that indicated a significant shift in the war's dynamics.
Since the palace's capture, the military has progressively taken control of the capital, moving into the devastated city center and advancing toward the international airport.
While some R.S.F. fighters continued to resist the military's progress, reports from the city center indicated sporadic gunfire and explosions. However, on Wednesday morning, the military announced it had gained control of the airport, which had been abandoned since April 2023.
In the afternoon, soldiers posed for media in front of an abandoned aircraft on the runway. The final concentration of R.S.F. fighters in the capital is believed to be located in the southern and western parts of Omdurman, across the Nile, while the military maintains control of the northern half of the region.