Sudanese army claims clearing RSF pockets from Khartoum district
March 27, 2025 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s army said on Thursday it had regained control over a key district in the capital Khartoum after eliminating the last remaining pockets of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters there.
The army said it had recaptured most sites across Khartoum state, claiming the RSF withdrew from some areas while others were taken by force. The RSF countered that its forces had merely repositioned to achieve military goals.
Army spokesperson Brigadier Nabil Abdallah told the Sudan Tribune news outlet: “Our forces managed to forcefully and capably cleanse the last pockets of the remnants of the Daglo militia – referring to the RSF – in the Khartoum district.”
Abdallah denied any prior agreement existed for the RSF withdrawal, saying this was “exposed by their shameful escape before our forces and their abandonment of their dead and equipment on the battlefields.”
The Khartoum district comprises dozens of residential neighbourhoods, including Imtidad Nasir, Burri, Al-Duyum, Al-Kalaklat, Al-Sahafa, Arkowit, Al-Mamoura, Al-Riyadh, Al-Jireif West and Soba Al-Shahinat.
Military sources told Sudan Tribune the army had raided sites in central Khartoum where besieged RSF fighters were located, including the Stack Lab building.
The sources said the army had “neutralised” 23 RSF personnel in central Khartoum who refused to surrender after a siege lasting about nine days.
Separately, the Joint Force, comprising armed movements allied with the army, said it captured an artillery piece in the Al-Mamoura neighbourhood allegedly used by the RSF to shell civilians.
The Joint Force released video footage purportedly showing its fighters raiding a house and finding the weapon hidden under covers.
Clashes were also reported south of Khartoum, in the Southern Belt area, between the RSF and the Sudan Shield Forces militia led by Abu Agla Keikel.
Sources told Sudan Tribune the army, after securing the Jebel Aulia dam bridge south of the capital, “is still dealing with groups of RSF trying to escape” across it towards the city of Omdurman.
The withdrawal of RSF commanders and supply disruptions reportedly prompted a large number of RSF fighters to flee central, eastern and southern Khartoum via the Jebel Aulia bridge towards Omdurman, apparently heading towards western Sudan.