Khartoum, Sudan – May 21, 2025 — Sudan’s military announced Tuesday that it has taken full control of the Greater Khartoum region, marking a significant milestone in its two-year-long civil war against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The Greater Khartoum region, which encompasses the capital Khartoum along with the twin cities of Omdurman and Khartoum North (Bahri), has been a central battleground since fighting erupted in April 2023. According to Brigadier General Nabil Abdullah, the Sudanese military’s spokesman, the army successfully cleared remaining RSF fighters from the western and southern areas of Omdurman during a sweeping offensive.
“Khartoum state is completely free of rebels,” Abdullah said in a televised statement.
There has been no immediate response from the RSF regarding the army’s claims.
This latest development comes as Sudan continues to endure one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The civil war has killed at least 24,000 people, with actual numbers believed to be much higher. The conflict has displaced around 13 million people, including 4 million who have fled to neighboring countries. Large swaths of the nation are now teetering on the brink of famine.
The war has been marred by widespread atrocities, including mass rape, ethnic violence, and targeted killings, particularly in the Darfur region. The United Nations and international human rights organizations have classified many of these acts as war crimes and crimes against humanity.