Sudanese Army Chief Visits Khartoum HQ Amid Reports of Break in Siege
Sudanese army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan visited the General Command headquarters in Khartoum on Sunday, his first appearance since government forces claimed to have lifted a months-long siege by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Accompanied by senior military leaders, Burhan praised the “resilience and sacrifices” of soldiers who defended the General Command for 20 months, vowing to “eradicate” the RSF and pursue its fighters “in every corner of Sudan.” He also hailed the army’s continued operations in other parts of the country, including Omdurman, Bahri, and El Fasher, where fierce clashes have been reported.
The General Command in Khartoum had been under siege since the conflict erupted in April 2023, but the army announced on Friday it had successfully lifted the RSF blockade and restored control over parts of the city, potentially marking a turning point in the nearly two-year war.
The RSF has denied the army’s claims, calling them “propaganda” aimed at boosting morale. Tensions escalated further on Friday when an advisor to the head of the RSF announced his resignation, citing the paramilitary’s targeting of civilians in its operations.
The war, sparked by a power struggle between the army and the RSF, has left tens of thousands dead, millions displaced, and plunged Sudan into a humanitarian crisis. Both sides have blamed the other for causing the crisis, with the RSF accusing the army of receiving foreign backing and the Sudanese government alleging RSF ties to external supporters, including the United Arab Emirates.
International observers have warned of escalating violence and its devastating impact on civilians. The head of the World Health Organization called on Saturday for an end to attacks on healthcare workers and facilities in Sudan.
