Sudan's military forces expanded their control over several peripheral areas of Khartoum on Sunday, February 9, 2025, and bombarded positions of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group in the city. This offensive aims to encircle the rebels and expel them from the capital for the first time since the war began in April 2023.
Military reports indicate that regular forces regained control of several locations in eastern Khartoum state and targeted eastern neighborhoods of the capital with drones. They have also advanced towards a "key sector" of the city with the goal of taking control of the center. This has allowed them to "significantly expand" in the neighborhoods east of the Nile and the capital.
The army launched its offensive in Khartoum several weeks ago, after recapturing the strategic town of Wad Madani south of the capital. This allowed regular troops to advance from there to encircle the rebels and cut off one of their most important supply routes.
Meanwhile, the Joint Forces allied with the army bombarded several RSF positions in the west and east of Al Fasher city on Sunday morning. Al Fasher is the last stronghold of the armed forces in the vast western Sudanese region of Darfur, bordering Chad. The region is largely controlled by the paramilitaries, who are also fighting against local tribes and armed groups.
Amidst the positive news from the front, the Sudanese government, controlled by the military leadership, announced a proposed roadmap for "preparing the post-war phase and resuming the political process" alongside civilian forces. This roadmap aims to guide the country towards "holding free and fair general elections," according to a statement from the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The roadmap, expected to be implemented once Khartoum is recaptured, also includes the formation of a "qualified and independent national government" to lead the transitional phase and address the consequences of nearly two years of war. These consequences include tens of thousands of deaths, widespread destruction, and the displacement of millions of people.