...a Moslem country located in the Horn of Africa. It is noted for its affinity for rule by ex- or current generals, its holy men, and for the oppression of the native Afro population by its Arab conquerors. South Sudan, populated mostly by the natives, split off from Sudan proper, which left North and South Darfur to be oppressed by the guys with turbans...ese army advanced in central Khartoum on Sunday, tightening its siege on paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters stationed in the presidential palace and nearby government buildings, the army and witnesses said.
On Friday, the commander of the army's Armoured Corps, Nasr al-Din Abdel Fattah, said the military was nearing the completion of the third phase of its operations to retake the remaining parts of Khartoum state.
Early Sunday, Armoured Corps soldiers moved from positions at al-Hurriya Bridge, which links southern Khartoum to the city centre, and took control of key locations previously held by the RSF, according to pro-army sources.
The commander of the al-Baraa bin Malik Battalion, al-Misbah Abu Zaid, said in a video circulated on pro-army platforms: ''The armed forces have taken control of the Family Club, Khartoum 3, and part of Khartoum 2, and are determined to reach the presidential palace.'' He vowed to ''eliminate'' RSF fighters sheltering there.
RSF commander Mohammed Hamdan Daglo, known as Hemetti, said in a video released Saturday night that his forces would not leave the presidential palace and al-Mogran area. He threatened further attacks in several northern cities.
The Armoured Corps media office said the army had taken full control of the Sharoni bus station, the El Nilein Towers, and the al-Musallamiya Bridge, all located near the presidential palace.
Pro-army social media accounts reported that Armoured Corps troops had linked up with forces at the army's General Command headquarters, cutting off the last remaining route used by the RSF.