Sudanese army captures strategic positions near Presidential Palace in Khartoum

​​​​​​​By Adel Abdelrheem and Rania Abu Shamala

KHARTOUM/ISTANBUL (AA) - The Sudanese army said Thursday that it has continued to advance in central Khartoum, capturing strategic positions near the Presidential Palace.

Videos shared by army personnel showed control of the Al-Mak Nimr Bridge, connecting Khartoum and Bahri.

Footage also revealed army forces positioned inside Kuwaiti Towers -- high-rise buildings approximately 500 meters (1,640 feet) from the palace.

As of 1945GMT, neither the army nor the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) had commented on the developments.

They follow intense fighting between the army and the RSF around the Presidential Palace late Wednesday, lasting until early Thursday.

The army then moved closer to regaining control of the Presidential Palace for the first time since conflict erupted with the RSF two years ago.

Sudan's state television began airing patriotic songs and footage praising the army, announcing that troops "are close to regaining control of the Presidential Palace and clearing it from the RSF militia."

The army and RSF have been fighting a war since April 2023 that has killed more than 20,000 victims and displaced 14 million, according to the UN and local authorities.

Research from US universities, however, estimates the death toll at around 130,000.

International and UN calls for an end to the war are mounting, warning of an impending humanitarian catastrophe as millions face famine and death due to food shortages. The conflict has spread to 13 of Sudan’s 18 states.