Sudanese Army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan landed at Khartoum International Airport on Saturday aboard a presidential aircraft, marking his first fixed-wing arrival in the capital since the war erupted in April 2023.
The landing, broadcast by state media, reflects the military’s expanding control and its ongoing efforts to re-establish a functioning presence in the war-torn capital. Upon arrival, General Burhan visited the General Command headquarters and was briefed by Chief of Staff General Mohamed Osman Al-Hussein on the current security situation.
The airport’s main runway was recently restored, allowing for the landing of fixed-wing aircraft. Though the army had earlier reclaimed control of Khartoum from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the terminal infrastructure remains severely damaged.
General Burhan previously visited the airport by helicopter in March, but this latest arrival was seen as a show of confidence in the army’s grip on the city. The military-led government has pledged to rebuild key infrastructure and resume essential services in the capital following months of urban warfare.
The visit follows recent announcements about electricity restoration plans for hospitals in Khartoum and broader efforts to stabilize life in the city after over two years of devastating conflict.