Key takeaways from the recent developments in Sudan:

• The Sudanese military claims to have made substantial territorial gains in Khartoum against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
• Army leaders assert they are closing in on the RSF-held Republican Palace in the capital.
• The conflict has contributed to a severe humanitarian crisis, with over 12 million people displaced.
• As fighting escalates, fears emerge over potential reprisals against civilians associated with the RSF.
• Humanitarian organizations warn of starvation affecting over 100,000 residents in Khartoum alone.

As the Sudanese civil war nears its second anniversary, significant battlefield developments have emerged, with the army claiming to regain control over key areas in the capital Khartoum. Recent reports indicate that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) have made decisive progress against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), specifically in neighborhoods such as Kafouri and Abu Quta. The army's advances have led to speculation that a complete retake of the capital may be imminent, with military sources confirming that they were "close to reaching the centre of Khartoum."

The army leader, Gen Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, announced recently that he expects to clear Khartoum of RSF forces swiftly. This confidence follows the SAF's major victory in reclaiming the strategic state of Gezira, which was crucial in recent military offensives. Concurrently, the RSF has been pushed to the city's outskirts, and there are growing fears of a humanitarian catastrophe as military engagements escalate.

BBC reported that the harsh realities of war continue to plague the city, with civilians caught in the crossfire. Testimonies reveal that many residents have endured heavy shelling and lack basic necessities as violence disrupts daily life. "Shrapnel and stray ammunition are falling on my neighborhood," said one local doctor.

Aid organizations warn that the conflict has led to a dire humanitarian crisis; tens of thousands are at risk of starvation in Khartoum alone, underlining Sudan as one of the world's most significant humanitarian challenges today. The UN has cited that over 20,000 people have lost their lives in the conflict, with 14 million displaced nationwide, intensifying the urgency for humanitarian assistance.

However, amidst military victories, concerns about potential reprisals against those suspected of collaborating with the RSF loom large. Reports of activists and aid workers being targeted have sparked alarm from organizations such as Amnesty International.

As the conflict continues to unfold, the fate of millions hangs in the balance, with calls for immediate humanitarian intervention becoming increasingly critical. The eyewitness accounts and the fluctuating landscape of power within Sudan reflect a nation at a pivotal crossroads, as both the army and RSF grapple for control in a war that has devastated lives and communities.

Follow more updates on the ongoing crisis via sources including The Guardian, BBC, and Al Jazeera.