KHARTOUM, March 21 (Xinhua) -- As dawn broke in Al-Droshab, north of Sudan's capital Khartoum, residents gathered to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, the end of the holy month of Ramadan, with prayers and chants, a tentative return to normalcy after years of displacement and turmoil.
Wearing traditional white garments, worshippers exchanged greetings throughout the neighborhood, while children were visibly present, adding to the festive atmosphere.
Across the neighborhood, scars of war are still visible: some homes show varying degrees of damage, while others have been repaired and restored following the recent return of their residents.
The gradual return comes after the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced on May 20, 2025, that they had fully regained control of Khartoum state in central Sudan, with the territory completely cleared of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) after more than two years of fighting.
On January 11, 2026, the Sudanese government announced the resumption of its operations from the capital, following the official relocation of its headquarters from the eastern city of Port Sudan.
"This is the first Eid Al-Fitr I have celebrated in my own home since the outbreak of the war," Hussein Abdul-Shafi, sitting with his children at home, told Xinhua. "Past Eids were spent in various displacement sites, but returning home, despite all the difficulties, feels different."
He added, pointing to the children's laughter and joy on their faces, "Despite the difficult circumstances, we tried to make the children feel the happiness of Eid. We provided them with some toys and organized brief entertainment to create a festive atmosphere."
As laughter echoed through the alleys, Abdul-Shafi continued, eyes following returning neighbors: "What strikes me this year is how many neighbors have returned after long displacement. There is more movement in the neighborhood than before. Many are celebrating Eid at home for the first time since the war, and even with limited resources, simply being together has restored some of the Eid spirit we missed."
Despite the renewed activity, security concerns continued to cast a shadow over celebrations. Authorities prohibited large gatherings and public events due to fears of drone attacks, leaving the streets quieter.
Houses, decorated with traditional adornments, reflected the holiday atmosphere in relative calm, as if the neighborhood were breathing quietly with hope.
Outside his home in Al-Droshab, Mohamed Awadalla stood with his children. He said, "We had planned to visit relatives as usual, but security concerns prevented that. Even so, we tried to maintain simple signs of Eid inside the house."
He added, "I was displaced for nearly three years because of the war, moving between several areas, but I finally returned to Khartoum. Just being back in my city, with my family, is indescribable. Celebrating Eid at home may be simple, but it feels very different -- it brings me great happiness despite all the challenges."
For his part, Abdalla Ahmed Abdalla said, "The situation is difficult, and many family members are still outside Khartoum." "But we try to keep the Eid spirit alive. Just having the family members who remain together gives us hope that better days are ahead."
He added, observing activity in the streets and alleys, "We are seeing gradual improvements in Khartoum, with more people returning to their neighborhoods and homes. I hope this continues, and I urge anyone still elsewhere in Sudan or abroad to return when possible, because people living in their own city are what bring it back to life."
Social researcher Sami Al-Tayeb told Xinhua, "Shifting from public celebrations to home-based observances does not diminish the value of Eid; it reflects the citizens' adherence to the essence of the occasion despite the restrictions."
"The partial return of residents to their neighborhoods helps rebuild social bonds and gradually paves the way for restoring normal life when security conditions allow," Al-Tayeb noted.
Since mid-April 2023, the SAF and the RSF have been engaged in a war that has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions within Sudan and abroad.
Data from the International Organization for Migration indicates a recent increase in returns to Khartoum, reflecting a partial recovery in some areas and a gradual resumption of daily activities, despite ongoing security and economic challenges.
On March 5, the organization reported that 3.6 million people had returned home in various areas of Sudan, reducing the number of displaced persons by 21 percent from its peak. Currently, 9.1 million people remain displaced, down from 11,585,384 at its peak in January 2025.
