Sudanese army advances in Khartoum Bahri as RSF retreats
January 19, 2025 (KHARTOUM BAHRI) – The Sudanese army has made significant gains in Khartoum North, also known as Bahri, and is close to controlling its centre as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) carry out a series of withdrawals from several locations.
The army has been tight-lipped about a complex military operation that began in September to reach the besieged Signal Corps. Soldiers trapped in the Signal Corps face challenging conditions due to the siege imposed on them since the beginning of the fighting.
Sources in Bahri and several remaining residents told Sudan Tribune that the RSF has withdrawn heavy artillery and anti-aircraft weapons from Al-Maouna Street and neighbourhoods in central Bahri, including Al-Mazad, Al-Khatmiya, and Hila Khojali. The RSF had positioned a number of artillery pieces in those neighbourhoods and used them to shell the Signal Corps throughout the past period.
Citizens in Bahri confirmed to Sudan Tribune on Sunday that they witnessed columns of RSF infantry heading towards Haj Yousuf and east of the Nile on Al-Hawa Street, which passes through the industrial zone, reaching the areas of Al-Mayqoma, Al-Shaqla, and Station 24.
At the same time, other eyewitnesses said that an RSF special force (formerly the Paratroopers) ordered soldiers in Bahri neighbourhoods to head east of the Nile.
Meanwhile, citizens confirmed that the Signal Corps conducted a limited reconnaissance operation after the withdrawal of RSF defences from Martyr Mattar Street (formerly Al-Ingaz).
A source in Bahri reported that RSF forces gathered near Aqrab Square and headed east towards the industrial zone in Bahri.
The RSF categorically denied reports of its withdrawal from some locations in Khartoum Bahri, describing the news as “lies” promoted by “remnants of the former regime” to create “false victories.”
In a statement issued by its official spokesman, the RSF affirmed that its fighters are making progress towards new objectives and vowed to attack the “remnants” in their position soon.
Some residents in the neighbourhoods of Al-Diyoum and Al-Mazad heard nearby clashes, believed to have taken place in the Al-Mughtaribeen neighbourhood. Sudan Tribune’s follow-up confirmed the entry of the army’s vanguard into the Al-Safiya neighbourhood and clashes between other forces and groups of RSF soldiers near Al-Mughtaribeen.
Citizens in Bahri witnessed a group of drones, likely belonging to the army, flying for long periods in central Bahri on Sunday.
“Large numbers of RSF soldiers were seen gathering in the neighbourhoods and areas of Al-Shaqla, Al-Wihda, Al-Radmiya, Street One, Al-Kals, Souq 6, Al-Takamul, Al-Nasim, Al-Maza’i, and Al-Basqat.”
Since the outbreak of the war in April 2023, the RSF has controlled the city of Bahri and deployed large numbers of forces there.