BBCThe Sudanese army has regained control of the major regions of the capital Khartoum from the rapid support forces (RSF), a paramilitary faction seeking to overthrow an unrecognised government.
On Friday, jubilant army soldiers took a photo of themselves in front of a battle-covered entrance to the Presidential Palace in the city centre.
The battle in Sudan broke out in April 2023, when the RSF launched attacks on Sudanese Army (SAF) bases throughout Sudan, gaining important territory, including key parts of the capital and its airport.
Tens of thousands of people have died in conflict, millions have been forced from their homes, and many face hunger for what the United Nations describes as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis.
BBC Verify analyzes videos and images posted during the conflict, frequently featured by fighters on both sides, building pictures of the Army’s propulsion to regain control of Khartoum.
The city is surrounded by two great rivers, the Nile River, blue and white, and the army’s battle to regain control is defined by these geographical constraints.
The attack to recapture the capital began in earnest on September 26th, with the army launching airstrikes on the RSF Held region of Khartoum.
Then, in January, at the beginning of the dry season, fresh pushes were seen by the military, strengthened by new alliances with Islamists and national militias, leading to a series of strategic victories.
We identified videos and photos from key moments in urban regeneration.
January 25th – Escape from the siege
The Army headquarters in central Khartoum had been surrounded by RSF forces for 21 months, trapping soldiers who could not link to other army units approaching the city.
Then, in late January, following military advances, following the north, the Army was able to send reinforcements to break through the RSF line and end the siege.
Verified social media footage posted on January 25 shows soldiers celebrating on Army headquarters premises.
The next day, Secretary of the Army, Abdel Fatta al-Burhan, visited the Army headquarters saying that his forces would “eradicate” the RSF and pursue them in the corner of the country.
February 6th – Blocking RSF escape routes
Many RSF fighters tried to withdraw from the White Nile River to a safer area on the west.
They discovered that the escape route was blocked following an air attack reported by the SAF on the main bridge across the river.
Video posted on February 6 shows this intersection of Jebel Auryadam, about 40 km south of Khartoum.
BBC Verify was able to see the location of this footage using a satellite image showing the rise of black smoke at that location in the village.
March 3rd – Keybridge Control
Approaching Khartoum, the army sought to control the Manshiya Bridge, the last major intersection under the RSF management.
On March 3, SAF posted drone footage from the battle for control of the bridge.
In it, you can see the Army targeting RSF vehicles and fighter jets trying to escape. Trucks carrying some men and others running along can be seen in flames when they hit the bridge.
Additionally, footage of the drone shows more than dozens of men running through the shrub towards the bridge.
The next day, the Army was able to hold its position on the bridge and approach the remaining RSF fighters trapped in the area.
March 16th – Closes in Central Khartoum
BBC Verify has identified the dramatic footage posted on March 16th. This looks like an RSF fighter caught up in an Army ambush as he escapes SAF’s advance towards the city centre.
Along Tarmac Street, a speeding bike is being hugged by bullets and suddenly abandons its rider and flips it.
In footage of congratulating themselves after an attack, the uniform headband and yellow headband can be identified as belonging to the military.
By fitting the buildings and trees seen in the video together with satellite images, it has established that the incident occurred about 2 km (1.2 miles) south of the Presidential Palace.
March 20th – Takes President’s Palace
It has identified a video of an army that attacked a fleet of vehicles moving along Alcaslu Avenue, leaving the palace.
The footage shows multiple explosions and projectiles appearing from within the fire, causing a large fire to erupt, suggesting that an ammunition explosion is being carried by the vehicle.
The video describes the attack on an RSF Optimus vehicle, accompanied by an Arabic-speaking voice, including weapons.
We were able to establish the location from two buildings seen in footage matching the buildings seen on Google Maps at a junction just 1 km from the Presidential Palace.
Just a few hours later, ecstatic Sudanese soldiers took a photo in front of the palace building, and their arms raised in victory.
The RSF still manages important parts of the city and much of Western Sudan. However, filming the palace by the Army is a very iconic moment in the conflict.
Additional reports by Kumar Malhotra, Richard Irvine-Brown, Benedict Garman and Matt Murphy
