The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced on May 20, 2025, that Khartoum state is now "completely free of rebels" from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This declaration comes after weeks of intense battles in and around the capital city. The SAF, headed by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, stated their commitment to liberating every inch of the country.
Recent victories by the army included recapturing the presidential palace, major urban centers, and Khartoum airport in March 2025. Al-Burhan declared “Khartoum is free” following the airport's recapture, though smaller battles continued in pockets around the state. The army reported recovering weapons and ammunition, including drones and jamming systems, from the RSF.
After more than two years of civil war, control of Sudan remains divided between the SAF and the RSF. The SAF dominates the north and east, including Khartoum, while the RSF holds most of western Sudan, including Darfur. The conflict, which began in April 2023, has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis with widespread displacement and famine.