After the Army’s Control of Khartoum: Reasons Behind the Collapse of the “Rapid Support Forces”

Report by: Abdulraouf Taha

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia has been losing its presence in several Sudanese states, including Sennar, Al-Jazira, White Nile, North Kordofan, and most recently Khartoum, following a series of defeats at the hands of the Sudanese army. The army recently forced the RSF to flee from Khartoum after killing several of its members in the heart of the capital.

The collapse became evident after the army took control of the presidential palace in Khartoum and subsequently secured the strategic central area of Khartoum, which serves as the political, administrative, and social hub of the country. The army leadership stated in a press release that “Khartoum will be declared free of the RSF within a short period.”

A Surprise Attack

In a sudden move, the Sudanese army launched attacks on RSF positions in Khartoum, regaining control of several military and strategic sites, including Khartoum International Airport, the headquarters of the Central Reserve Forces in southern Khartoum, and the Yarmouk military production complex.

The army also seized the RSF headquarters in Riyadh suburb, the Taiba camp — the largest RSF stronghold in Khartoum — and conducted a sweeping operation to retake key neighborhoods such as Burri, Al-Manshiya, Al-Riyadh, Jabra South, and East Khartoum. The army further closed off access points to Jebel Aulia from the south.

Moreover, the Sudanese army managed to penetrate fortified RSF positions in Khartoum that were used as military bases and detention centers housing both heavy and light weapons.

Among the most significant strongholds was the Taiba camp, located in the Taiba Al-Hassanab area in Jebel Aulia locality, south of Khartoum. This camp consisted of fortified underground buildings and served as a launch point for RSF operations against the Armored Corps and the Central Reserve Forces.

From this camp, RSF forces had managed in June 2023 to seize the Central Reserve Police headquarters, the Yarmouk military factory, and besiege the Armored Corps, while also taking control of the Najoumi and Jebel Aulia air bases.

According to Khatim Nour Allah, an officer with the General Intelligence Service’s Counterterrorism Unit, “We inflicted severe blows on the militia in Jebel Aulia and caused them heavy losses in lives and equipment, although some of them managed to escape early on.” He added that some RSF fighters were in dire condition after the army’s intense strikes.

Strategic Gains

The RSF had previously used the Riyadh suburb in eastern Khartoum as its headquarters. The site was formerly owned by the General Intelligence Service’s Operations Unit and was distinguished by strong fortifications and extensive facilities.

A security source told Al Jazeera Net that the RSF headquarters in Riyadh housed advanced jamming systems, anti-aircraft and armored defenses, and underground buildings that were converted into prisons for detainees.

The source added that key RSF leaders, including Operations Director Brigadier Osman Hamid and Intelligence Director Brigadier Issa Bashara, were stationed at the Riyadh headquarters during the war. He confirmed that the army had regained control of this crucial RSF base in Khartoum.

The conflict in Sudan began in southern Khartoum, near the Sports City and the First Armored Infantry Brigade camp in Al-Baqir suburb. RSF forces had initially taken control of the camp, destroyed several army tanks, and captured several officers, including the camp commander, Major General Mamoun Mohammed. RSF had maintained control of the First Armored Brigade’s headquarters since the outbreak of the war.

Brigadier Qaddafi Mohammed, commander of the Sennar Battalion, told Al Jazeera Net that his forces seized the First Armored Brigade headquarters on Wednesday morning, along with the new neighborhoods of Imran and Al-Thawra, as well as the city of Al-Baqir itself. He noted that “the RSF has reached the end of its presence across Sudan, and the army is determined to chase them down.”

Control of Khartoum Airport

Khartoum International Airport is one of the largest airports in Sudan’s capital. It includes a military base and is located adjacent to the General Army Command, overlooking one of Khartoum’s main roads.

Early Wednesday morning, the army launched a swift operation against RSF forces entrenched at the airport, regaining control of the facility. Brigadier Mohammed Abdul Rahman Al-Bilawi told Al Jazeera that the army had retaken the airport from RSF forces and destroyed most of the civilian aircraft stationed there.

Extensive Sweeping Operations

The army continued its advance in Khartoum on Wednesday morning, not only reclaiming military sites but also retaking civilian locations such as the central bus station, Khartoum International Airport, and several residential neighborhoods, including Riyadh, Al-Taif, Al-Manshiya, Burri, Al-Harif Gharb, Al-Ma’moura, Al-Sahafa, and Jabra.

Field sources told Al Jazeera Net that the army discovered weapons and military equipment left behind by the RSF in these neighborhoods after their retreat. The sources also reported that several RSF fighters were captured in eastern Khartoum following the siege of their positions. According to the sources, RSF forces had sabotaged water and power stations in the areas they controlled.

It is increasingly evident that the RSF is facing a collapse, having lost its foothold entirely in Al-Jazira, Sennar, parts of White Nile State, Khartoum State, and parts of North Kordofan. The army has successfully expelled, pursued, and defeated RSF forces in several battles.

Major General Abdul Munim Abdul Basit, one of the Sudanese army’s leading operations commanders, stated that “the RSF militia has been defeated across central Sudan, including Khartoum. They didn’t retreat — they were crushed.” He emphasized that the battle would continue until Kordofan and Darfur are cleared of RSF presence.

Lieutenant Mohammed Dushan, a Sudanese army officer, attributed the RSF’s collapse to “careful strategic planning, the army’s leadership skills, the resilience of Sudanese soldiers, and support from allied forces.”

Dushan added that breaking the siege on army units in Khartoum was pivotal, especially after lifting the blockade on the Armored Corps and the General Command. He noted that the RSF suffered a major blow when the army seized the presidential palace, which contributed to the collapse of RSF ranks.

Source: Al Jazeera Net