The Sudanese Armed Forces announced that it has completed its control over the entire state of Khartoum, declaring the eradication of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) following intense battles in the strategic area of Salaha, south of Omdurman.

The military's assertion comes after a week of clashes that began after the army regained control of key governmental sites, including the presidential palace, which had been under RSF control since the onset of the conflict in April 2023.

As of March 28, the army affirmed its complete control over the capital cities of Khartoum and Khartoum North after significant military operations aimed at expelling RSF forces.

The RSF had reportedly retreated from urban centers through the Mountain of Awliya Bridge and regrouped in areas south and west of Omdurman, primarily in Salaha, which became their last stronghold.

The Sudanese military reported that it had been consistently engaging RSF units in this area, leading to the recent announcement of its operational victory.

The military spokesperson, Brigadier General Nabil Abdullah, stated that Khartoum is now entirely free of rebel elements.

He highlighted that the removal of RSF from western and southern Omdurman has opened a path for the army to regain control over critical supply routes leading to other regions, specifically the road connecting Omdurman and El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan.

Continuing conflicts persist in North and South Kordofan, where battles are ongoing around cities such as Al-Nahud and Al-Khowi following the military's movements from El Obeid.

In a parallel development, reports indicate a rising threat from unexploded ordnance scattered throughout Khartoum, which poses dangers to families returning to their neighborhoods.

Cleanup and demining teams from Sudan and the United Nations are currently assessing the urban landscape to remove these hazards but have expressed a need for increased manpower and funding, particularly due to reduced American aid.

Eyewitness accounts reported findings of explosive shells and missiles abandoned in residential roads, alongside unexploded anti-tank rockets still present.

Since the army's regained control over Khartoum, more than 100,000 displaced individuals have started returning to the area amidst the ongoing conflict driven by plans to integrate the RSF into the national army.

The National Mine Action Center in Sudan announced the destruction of over 12,000 explosive devices since the conflict's outbreak.

The center’s director, Major General Khalid Hamdan, reported that approximately 5,000 additional explosive devices have been discovered as efforts to clear recovered territories intensify.

During the past few weeks, at least 16 civilians have reportedly lost their lives due to unexploded ordnance, with concerns that the real casualty figures may be higher.

Currently, only five operational teams are deployed in Khartoum, prioritizing the clearance of main roads, governmental buildings, and medical facilities in the city.

The center indicated that a comprehensive mine clearance operation would require around $90 million to be effectively carried out.

Demining teams work manually to collect unexploded devices, often using rudimentary means to secure these hazardous materials for safe disposal.

The United Nations Mine Action Program had nearly ceased operations in March due to financial constraints until interventions from external entities, including Canada, offered renewed support.