Sudan Army Claims Major Advances in Battle for Khartoum

Published JAN 24 2025

Story

Above: A view of damage and destruction in Sudan's capital Khartoum on Dec. 26, 2024. Image credit: Osman Bakir/Contributor/Anadolu via Getty Images

The Facts

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced a significant breakthrough in northern Khartoum on Friday, claiming to have broken the siege of the Signal Corps and advancing toward strategic positions including the al-Jili oil refinery.
The National News
Barrons
The Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been fighting the SAF since April 2023 when the conflict began, denied that the SAF had advanced. Fighting near al-Jili oil refinery sparked a fire, with the SAF blaming the RSF for the blaze.
Barrons
Al Jazeera
Most of Khartoum has been under RSF control since the beginning of the conflict. The SAF has been making significant gains recently, capturing Wad Madani earlier this month, a key crossroads city south of Khartoum.
The National News
Barrons
As the SAF's offensive on Khartoum continues, the RSF has launched an assault on the SAF-held city of al-Fashir in the western state of Darfur after issuing an ultimatum to the SAF and its allies to withdraw earlier this week.
Middle East Eye
The conflict has displaced more than 12M people and created what the UN calls the world's largest internal displacement crisis. Tens of thousands have been killed, with both sides accused of committing war crimes.
Barrons
Al Jazeera
US lawmakers have accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of supplying the RSF with arms, calling for arms sales to the gulf nation to be blocked. The UAE denied the allegations, saying that its goals in Sudan were humanitarian. Separately, Egypt and Iran have been accused of backing the SAF.
Reuters
Voice of America

Sources Split

LEFT

CENTER

RIGHT

ESTAB
CRIT

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PRO
ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Though violations inevitably occur, the SAF is advancing and the UAE-backed RSF may finally soon be defeated. US sanctions against the genocidal RSF have only further weakened the paramilitary group, and the SAF is capitalizing on this weakness.

Middle East Monitor

Narrative B

The SAF is, yet again, committing war crimes in Sudan. The SAF and allied militias attacked civilians last month, killing dozens of people in the Halfaya area, north of Khartoum. The SAF must be held accountable for its many crimes against the Sudanese people.

The National News

Cynical narrative

Though it is clear that the RSF has committed the worst crimes in Sudan, the SAF is not much better, as neither side is interested in a democratic Sudan. The primary driver of conflict in Sudan is foreign intervention and the exploitation of natural resources. Sudan can only find peace when these foreign powers stop meddling in Sudanese affairs.

The Daily Star