Sudan’s military has successfully reclaimed Khartoum International Airport from the paramilitary group known as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), marking a crucial advancement in the ongoing conflict that has persisted for nearly two years. According to military sources, the area has been “fully secured,” underscoring the armed forces’ strategic gains in the capital city.
On Wednesday, soldiers initiated a significant operation around the airport, encircling key regions in central Khartoum. This strategic maneuver is part of a broader campaign launched following the military’s pivotal recapture of the presidential palace last week, a development that signals a turning point in the conflict. The Jebel Awliya area, located south of central Khartoum, had remained a stronghold for the RSF, but recent military offensives have successfully surrounded it.
Additionally, the Sudanese army secured both ends of the Manshiya bridge, which crosses the Blue Nile in Khartoum. This leaves the Jebel Awliya bridge as the final route out of the area still under RSF control. The conflict, which saw the military engaging with the RSF since April 2023, has seen significant territorial shifts in favor of the armed forces, with the airport being among the first strategic locations captured by the RSF at the onset of hostilities.
Witnesses and local activists have reported that RSF forces are systematically withdrawing from neighborhoods they previously held, moving southward towards Jebel Awliya. The situation illustrates the evolving landscape of power in the capital, with the Sudanese armed forces making notable progress over the past few days.
Al Jazeera correspondent Hiba Morgan, reporting from Khartoum, remarked on the significance of these developments. The military’s recent advancements, including the complete control of the airport—historically divided between government and RSF control—demonstrate a decisive shift. The army has not only regained control of essential infrastructure but has also made inroads into surrounding residential districts.
While the RSF appears to be retreating, the humanitarian impact of the nearly two-year conflict remains grave, resulting in tens of thousands of fatalities and displacing over 12 million individuals. The conflict has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation, creating one of the largest hunger crises in the world.
As the situation develops, the international community continues to monitor the unfolding events in Sudan, with hopes for stability and peace in the region.
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