(Africanews) – Residents of Allafah, a neighborhood located 40 kilometers south of Khartoum, have welcomed the Sudanese army after it reclaimed the area from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group.
Relief After Months of Fear
The area, home to the now-destroyed Allafah Market, had been under RSF control, leaving residents living in constant fear. Burai Abdel Moneim, a lawyer and local resident, expressed the hardship endured:
“We were living a life without life. We ate and drank, but we did not feel alive in all aspects.”
Another resident, Nawal Abdul Aziz, shared her relief:
“Thank God, the army has come to us. We are happy, we went out to cheer and praise God. We couldn’t believe the army had arrived because we had lived through an extremely difficult state.”
Sudan’s Army Gains More Territory
The conflict, which began in April 2023, has devastated Khartoum and other major cities, resulting in over 28,000 deaths and displacing millions. On Wednesday, the Sudanese military announced it had recaptured Khartoum’s international airport, marking a significant step toward regaining full control of the capital. The military chief also returned to Khartoum for the first time in nearly two years.
By Saturday, the army had consolidated its hold on the capital, securing key government buildings just a day after reclaiming the Republican Palace.
RSF Still Holding Positions
Despite these advances, RSF forces are still believed to control scattered positions across Khartoum, and the government has yet to declare full victory in the city.
