Sudan Army Regains Control of Khartoum Airport from RSF Paramilitary Forces

Sudan Army Recaptures Khartoum Airport – In a significant development in the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), military sources have confirmed that the army has successfully recaptured Khartoum airport and “fully secured it”. This strategic victory marks an important turning point in the two-year-long struggle for control over the Sudanese capital.

On Wednesday, troops surrounding Khartoum airport intensified their efforts, encircling key areas to ensure complete control. The army was reported to have “surrounded the strategic Jebel Awliya area,” situated south of central Khartoum, which has been identified as the last major RSF stronghold in the vicinity.

The military’s operations have also extended to securing both sides of the Manshiya bridge, which spans the Blue Nile in Khartoum. As a result, the Jebel Awliya bridge, located just south of the capital, remains the only crossing point still under RSF control.

Since the outbreak of hostilities in April 2023, the Sudanese military has been engaged in a concerted campaign to eliminate paramilitary forces from central Khartoum. This week, following the recapture of the presidential palace—a pivotal victory—the army commenced a focused offensive to drive the RSF out of the city.

Throughout the conflict, RSF fighters have maintained a presence at the airport, which lies just east of Khartoum’s central government and business district. As the fighting intensified, witnesses and local activists reported a noticeable retreat of RSF fighters from previously held neighborhoods, moving southward towards Jebel Awliya.

According to eyewitness accounts, RSF forces have primarily positioned themselves in southern Khartoum to facilitate their withdrawal from the capital using bridges to reach the neighboring city of Omdurman.

Significant Gains for the Sudanese Armed Forces

In a live report from Khartoum, Al Jazeera correspondent Hiba Morgan noted, “These are quite significant gains by the Sudanese armed forces just in the past few hours.” She elaborated that the airport was one of the initial strongholds seized by the RSF during the conflict’s early days, which had resulted in a split control of the airport.

“With the army’s progress in the past few hours, they have managed to retake full control of the airport, including the civilian side,” Morgan added. “They have also successfully gained control of several residential districts around the airport.”

Interestingly, the RSF did not appear to be “putting up much of a fight,” according to Morgan, which further underscores the army’s recent advancements.

Expert Analysis

Independent Sudanese analyst and activist Elbashir Idris shared insights with Al Jazeera, stating, “The RSF’s collapse has been quicker than the army’s ability to deploy itself.” He highlighted the celebratory scenes in Khartoum, where residents and even prisoners formerly under RSF control expressed their joy in the streets, seemingly liberated from their oppressors.

Idris remarked, “This news about the army retaking the airport is very welcoming to many Sudanese people who have lost their homes in the capital city over the past two years. This victory coincides with the RSF’s rapid decline.”

The Wider Impact of the Conflict

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has wrought devastating consequences over the past two years. The war has led to:

• The tragic loss of tens of thousands of lives.
• The displacement of more than 12 million individuals.
• The creation of the world’s largest hunger crisis, resulting in severe humanitarian needs.

As the Sudanese army continues its offensive against the RSF, the situation remains fluid and complex. The struggle for control in Khartoum not only shapes the future of the capital but also carries profound implications for the wider region and the millions of residents caught in the conflict.

This pivotal moment in Sudan’s ongoing civil strife highlights the resilience of the Sudanese people and their yearning for stability and peace after years of turmoil and suffering.

For the latest updates and developments regarding the conflict in Sudan, stay tuned to reliable news sources.

(Source: Al Jazeera)