History Regains Its Luster From The Eastern Gate Of The Presidential Complex.

Port Sudan, March 21, 2025 (Sudanow) "For those who thought this was just a joke!" With this phrase, which carried a great deal of sarcasm, government spokesman Khalid Al-Aiser, Minister of Culture and Information, began his post on his Facebook page, announcing the armed forces' liberation of the Presidential Complex in the national capital at dawn on Friday, March 21, 2025. This battle lasted for four almost continuous days, during which all types of weapons were used, until it culminated in a decisive victory for the Sudanese Armed Forces, heralding the birth of a new dawn.
Al-Aiser said: In the epics of national dignity, the blood of martyrs has always been mixed with the pure soil of Sudan, and the spirit of our ancestors, filled with vigor and pride, has mingled with the spirit of the new generations who continue the same journey. The Minister of Culture and Information added: I am telling you about the heroes of our valiant army, about men whose will is unbreakable, whose resolve is unshakable, and whose hearts beat only with love for the homeland and the defense of its honor and pride. He addressed the terrorist militias of the Al-Dagalo clan when he said: As for the Janjaweed, the mercenaries, and those who are with them from the internal agents and the delusional external forces, they thought the matter was nothing but a joke. However, they did not realize that the battle for Sudanese dignity is not just a military confrontation like its predecessors recorded in history books, but rather an eternal message to generations, meaning that dignity is won through the steadfastness of heroes. The official government spokesman emphasized that the truth that brooks no interpretation is that every step taken by our valiant soldiers from the morning of April 15, 2023 until today, Arriving at the palace, with its political and historical symbolism, has written a new chapter in the history of a nation that knows nothing but pride and glory. By mentioning the palace, history regains its glory, refreshing the memory of the nation and generations to come.

What does the liberation of the presidential complex mean?
We posed this question to strategic expert, retired Major General Mahmoud Abdel Moneim Atta Al-Mannan, who answered that the liberation of the palace represents a major victory and a fundamental turning point in the battle for dignity. This is due to the connotations of sovereignty that the presidential palace holds, which is a great morale boost for the army, while simultaneously weakening the morale of the enemy, who believed that it was impossible for the army to enter the presidential palace, as stated by the rebel Hemedti.
He also explained that, from a tactical perspective, recapturing the presidential complex is important because it will facilitate communication between the forces in Bahri, Khartoum, and Omdurman by exploiting the Mak Nimr Bridge and the White Nile Bridge.
The strategic expert pointed out that the destruction of the rebel forces and their withdrawal from the presidential complex will facilitate the process of clearing the remaining pockets in southern Khartoum, as the rebel forces stationed in the palace are elite forces. Its destruction and withdrawal towards the Al-Moqran area will force the remaining pockets to withdraw. He added that recapturing the Republican Palace will have repercussions in the battle to liberate the capital, which we expect to be very soon.
Retired Major General Mahmoud Abdel Moneim said: "The rebel forces that were in the presidential complex are considered elite forces, and most of their elements are from the Mahriya, in addition to a number of mercenaries. The rebel leadership was keen to hold onto the palace because of its connotations of control and sovereignty over the country. Therefore, the armament was qualitative and in large numbers. In addition, the enemy deployed snipers on tall buildings overlooking the palace to prevent our forces from approaching the palace. But with Allah's help and then with the determination of the armed forces, victory and liberation were achieved."
A statement issued by the General Command of the Armed Forces by Brigadier General Dr. Nabil Abdullah, the official army spokesman, announced the liberation of the presidential complex, describing the battle as an immortal, heroic epic. He emphasized that the armed forces had crushed the remnants of the Daglo terrorist militia in the areas of central Khartoum, the Arabi Market, the Republican Palace (a symbol of the sovereignty and dignity of the Sudanese nation), and the ministries.
The official army spokesman also announced in his statement that the army had completely destroyed enemy personnel and equipment and seized large quantities of their equipment and weapons in the aforementioned areas.

What comes after the liberation of the complex?
Retired Major General Mahmoud Abdel Moneim responded to this question by saying that the liberation of the palace and then central Khartoum automatically meant the army would move south, thus recapturing the Al-Shajara warehouses and the Yarmouk Defense Industries Complex. He then recaptured the Central Reserve Police Camp and Taiba Camp, as well as advancing southward across the eastern bank of the White Nile to consolidate control over the Jebel Awliya Dam Bridge, the last bridge used by the terrorist militias. He also considered the militias' attempts to withdraw in order to reposition and minimize their daily losses to be tantamount to suicide, given the army's tight control over all outlets in central Khartoum.
It's worth to mention that the Vice Chairman of the Sovereignty Council, Malik Agar, had previously announced that the end of the terrorist Al-Dagalo militias would come next April (to coincide with the second anniversary of the Al-Dagalo militia rebellion). This was confirmed by the Commander of the Armored Corps, Major General Dr. Nasr al-Din Abdel Fattah, but with a different expression when he said, "The armed forces have begun the final phase of eliminating the Rapid Support Forces," days before the liberation of the presidential complex.

Al-Bilawi and his soldiers are performing well:
After four days of fierce and continuous fighting, during which the Sudanese army was able to destroy the dissolved Rapid Support Forces throughout the palace, the army then entered it for the first time since the outbreak of the war. Specifically, on the evening of April 14, 2023, the Al-Dagalo militias, tasked with guarding the palace, betrayed the Republican Guard forces stationed inside, arresting them, and have since occupied the palace. Major General Mohamed Abdel Rahman Al-Bilawi, the Sudanese army's commander of the Khartoum Movement Control Center, was among the first to enter the Republican Palace, accompanied by army personnel, through the eastern gate. Meanwhile, the remaining militia forces withdrew toward the Arabi Market area in central Khartoum and Al-Moqran, where the Sudanese army pursued them as they retreated, dragging their tails of treason and regret for their crimes.
Al-Bilawi considered the battle to liberate the presidential complex a historic moment, noting that they were pursuing the withdrawing forces, who were psychologically and morally collapsed, and even more so militarily. He also announced the liberation of Khartoum International Airport, stating, "Khartoum Airport will resume operations soon." He also invited the residents of Bahri, East Nile, and Omdurman to return to their homes.
The Khartoum Operations Commander indicated that they had set "a limited deadline for the Rapid Support Forces to surrender," noting that the army had taken control of all sovereign ministries. The army had previously controlled all roads leading to the palace, closing them off with pedestrians and covering them with drones, starting from west Khartoum, where the industrial area is, east to the Nilein Towers, south to the confluence of the Niles, and north (Marhaba, Bahri City).
Subsequently, airstrikes were launched using drones and artillery against members of these forces who attempted to flee the presidential palace through central Khartoum, passing over the Freedom Bridge. This resulted in the deaths of these forces and the rising of smoke from the vicinity of the palace and some of the surrounding buildings.

History of the Presidential Complex:
The Republican Palace complex is located on the southern bank of the Blue Nile, bordered to the north by Nile Street, to the south by University Street, to the east by Abu Sin Street, and to the west by Mahira Street. Since the planning of Khartoum, the Republican Palace was designed to divide the city into two parts. Ministries, departments, and government offices were located to the east and west, and commercial establishments to the south. The total area of ​​the Republican Palace complex is (150) thousand square meters and includes:
The Presidential Palace building, which covers an area of ​​(5,300) square meters. Documents from the Presidential Complex indicate that an agreement was reached to construct the Presidential Palace during Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to Sudan in 2007. Work began in March 2011. It was officially inaugurated on the night of January 26, 2015, due to the need to construct a presidential palace that would meet the needs, duties, and functions of the Presidency of the Republic and keep pace with the times in light of technological advancements.
It also includes the Republican Palace building, which covers an area of ​​​​1,926 square meters and has been a symbol of the state since Sudan gained independence from Britain and Egypt on January 1, 1956. Throughout the period of Turkish colonialism and later British colonialism, the Republican Palace was a symbol of the state and from which it was administered. Upon the country's independence, the Sudanese flag was raised atop the palace's mast. It continued to serve as the official headquarters of the Presidency of the Republic of Sudan and a symbol of national sovereignty. It became known as the Republican Palace.
There are also buildings for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs - the General Secretariat, located in the eastern part of the Republican Palace complex. In addition to the Republican Guard Brigade Command, there is a specialized museum displaying palace artifacts and documenting the historical stages of the presidential palace complex. Additionally, there is a library and a mosque, while green spaces and gardens are spread throughout the complex.

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