Sudanese army retakes Khartoum airport from RSF

The Sudanese military has advised the BBC it has recaptured the airport within the capital, Khartoum, from the paramilitary RSF, marking its newest territorial acquire within the brutal two-year civil conflict.

Gen Mohamed Abdel Rahman al-Bilawi, commander of the operation in japanese Khartoum, mentioned troops had totally secured it and would possibly have the ability to clear the remainder of the RSF fighters by the top of day.

The military has been transferring swiftly since recapturing the presidential palace on Friday and seizing state establishments taken by the RSF.

The RSF had managed most of Khartoum because the conflict started in April 2023. Nationwide, a whole lot of hundreds have been killed, and thousands and thousands have been compelled to flee their properties.

Earlier, a military spokesperson advised the BBC that troops had seized Manshiya Bridge, the final RSF-held bridge, together with a army camp in Jebel Awliya, the group’s stronghold in southern Khartoum.

He mentioned the military had now recaptured all of the bridges throughout the River Nile that join the three cities which make up Higher Khartoum.

Residents have been reporting this week that RSF fighters have been retreating southwards, apparently in direction of Jebel Awliya, the one place they might nonetheless cross out of the realm.

Movies posted on social media appeared to indicate some individuals in central Khartoum celebrating the military’s advance after what many have described as a brutal RSF occupation.

These unwilling or unable to go away have constantly reported mass looting by the RSF, whose fighters took over civilian properties.

Khartoum is among the areas of the nation the UN mentioned was nearing famine circumstances, due to looted markets and restrictions on support by either side.

Rights teams have additionally documented sexual violence and different abuses.

Each the RSF and the military have additionally been accused of indiscriminately shelling civilian areas.

Earlier this week, the air force bombed a market and eyewitnesses mentioned dozens of civilians have been killed.

The military-led authorities was compelled to maneuver to Port Sudan on the Purple Sea after the RSF seized management of the capital early within the conflict.

Recapturing Khartoum is a gigantic achievement for the military, which may give it a strategic benefit within the conflict.

However the conflict is much from over.

The RSF nonetheless holds nearly all of the Darfur area in western Sudan.

Either side are backed by international powers who’ve poured weapons into the nation, and worldwide efforts to dealer peace have failed.