KHARTOUM, Sudan

The Sudanese army has regained control of a major marketplace in Omdurman, marking the first time since the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took over the area in the early days of the conflict in April 2023.

The Sudanese army’s recapture of the market follows intense battles with RSF forces.

A military source, who requested anonymity, told Anadolu that army forces "penetrated deep into Libya Market on Saturday morning after fierce clashes with the RSF."

The source said that the army regained control of the market after securing surrounding areas, further bolstering its position in Omdurman.

Videos shared on social media by Sudanese army personnel showed them patrolling the market, capturing the moment as they took control of the once-contested area.

The recapture of Libya Market, a major RSF stronghold in western Omdurman, opens the way for the army to expand its presence in the western parts of Omdurman, which are still under RSF control.

This military control follows the army’s recent successes in Khartoum and Bahri.

Over the past two days, the army has made significant gains, including full control of the capital and parts of the surrounding areas.

On Thursday, the army announced that it had successfully cleared the final RSF pockets in Khartoum State and retaken control of the Khartoum Airport, security and military headquarters, and several districts in the eastern and southern parts of the capital for the first time since April 2023.

Over the past few weeks, the territorial control of the RSF has been shrinking rapidly in favor of the Sudanese army across several states, including Khartoum, Al-Jazira, White Nile, North Kordofan, Sennar, and Blue Nile.

The army and RSF have been fighting a war since mid-April 2023 that has killed more than 20,000 people 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.