Khartoum - New York: Europe and the Arabs
Only a few hours after the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights announced that it had received disturbing reports of escalating violence against civilians in Khartoum amid ongoing intense hostilities, the Sudanese army announced on Friday morning that it had regained control of the Republican Palace in central Khartoum after expelling the Rapid Support Forces, led by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo "Hemedti," who had tightened their grip on the palace, along with the headquarters of ministries and official offices in the Sudanese capital.
The Sudanese Armed Forces announced, in a statement issued after regaining control of the Republican Palace for the first time since the outbreak of the civil war in April 2023, that it had dealt "decisive blows" to the Rapid Support Forces, indicating that their personnel and equipment were completely destroyed, and that large quantities of weapons and military vehicles were seized. According to what was published by the European news network in Brussels, "Euronews," on Friday morning, the Sudanese army spokesman confirmed that the forces had regained control of the Republican Palace and several ministries in the center of the capital, including the Arab Market and the surrounding areas of government institutions. He added that "Al-Dagalo's militia was crushed in the heart of Khartoum," vowing to continue military operations until "every inch of the country is cleansed."

In its statement, the army emphasized continued progress on all fronts, asserting that recapturing the Republican Palace represents a pivotal step toward achieving "complete victory" over the Rapid Support Forces.

For his part, Sudanese Minister of Culture and Information and government spokesman Khalid Ali Al-Eiser said in an official statement: "Today the flag was raised, the palace was returned, and the journey continues until victory is complete."

This came after the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights said it had received disturbing reports of escalating violence against civilians in Khartoum amid ongoing intense hostilities. In a statement issued Thursday, OHCHR spokesperson Seif Magango said that dozens of civilians, including local humanitarian volunteers, have been killed as a result of artillery shelling and airstrikes by the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces in eastern Khartoum and northern Omdurman since March 12. According to the UN daily news bulletin we received this morning, he added that credible reports indicate that the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias raided homes in eastern Khartoum, carried out summary killings and arbitrary arrests, and looted food and medical supplies from community kitchens and clinics. He said that the Human Rights Office had received disturbing allegations of sexual violence in the Al-Jereif West neighborhood. He also noted reports that the Sudanese Armed Forces and affiliated fighters had engaged in looting and other criminal activities in areas under their control in Khartoum Bahri and East Nile. He added that arbitrary arrests continue on a large scale in East Nile. Magango reiterated his call on both parties—and all states with influence over them—to take concrete steps to ensure the effective protection of civilians and end the ongoing lawlessness and impunity.