The Sudanese army took control of the presidential palace in the capital, Khartoum, on Friday, for the first time since the outbreak of the war nearly two years ago against the Rapid Support Forces.

In a statement to several news agencies, a military source said that army forces "were able to seize control of the presidential palace after expelling groups of the Rapid Support Forces militia."

"Our forces stormed and took control of the Republican Palace after crushing the remnants of the militia," the source told AFP, referring to the Rapid Support Forces that have occupied it since April 2023.

In this context, Sudanese army personnel posted video clips on social media documenting their entry into the presidential palace after days of fighting with the Rapid Support Forces.

For his part, Sudanese Minister of Information Khaled Al-Aiser confirmed on his Facebook page that the army had taken control of the presidential palace, saying: "Today the flag was raised and the palace was returned, and the journey continues until victory is complete."

Since April 2023, the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces have been waging a war that has left more than 20,000 dead and approximately 15 million displaced and refugees, according to the United Nations and local authorities. Research by American universities has estimated the death toll at approximately 130,000.

On Thursday, Sudanese army forces announced their continued advance into central Khartoum, including the seizure of strategic sites near the presidential palace.

These developments come after violent clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces in central Khartoum and around the presidential palace since Wednesday night.

The army announced on Monday that the armored corps had succeeded in imposing a siege on the Rapid Support Forces in central Khartoum from all directions.

For weeks, the Rapid Support Forces' control has been rapidly declining in favor of the army in the states of Khartoum, Al-Jazirah, White Nile, North Kordofan, Sennar, and Blue Nile.