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Hemeti Admits His Forces' Withdrawal... And Repositions Them While Battles Continue
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The withdrawal of Rapid Support Forces from Khartoum indicates a strategic shift in the battle, but it does not mean the end of the war; rather, it may be the beginning of a new phase of confrontation
The commander of the Rapid Support Forces, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemeti), confirmed that his forces withdrew from Khartoum after the Sudanese army's complete control of the capital, indicating that this withdrawal aims to "reposition," suggesting that the confrontation is not over yet.
In a speech addressed to his forces, published via social media, Hemeti stated that "the command and operations management agreed to reposition in Omdurman," which some considered an implicit acknowledgment of the losses his forces suffered in the capital.
The Sudanese army has made significant progress in recent days, announcing the recovery of the presidential palace in Khartoum, before its spokesman, Nabil Abdullah, announced that "the armed forces have cleared the last pockets of Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum locality," confirming complete control over the city.
The Security Committee in Khartoum State directed regular forces to deploy to protect vital facilities and installations, and called on citizens to avoid gatherings, warning that the Rapid Support Forces are still using drones.
The battle for the presidential palace is considered a significant turning point in the fighting, as it paved the way for the restoration of sovereign sites in the capital, in addition to extending control over Tuti Island, which strengthened the army's position in the war that has been ongoing since April 2023.
According to United Nations reports, the conflict between the army and the Rapid Support Forces has resulted in the death of more than 20,000 people, while the number of displaced persons and refugees has exceeded 15 million, reflecting a worsening humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan.
