SAF breaks RSF siege of El Obeid, advances in Khartoum

EL OBEID – Sudan’s army has broken a nearly two-year siege of El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, and made gains in the Khartoum region, military sources and officials said on Sunday, marking a significant shift in the conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) lifted the siege on El Obeid in an operation early Sunday, involving a coordinated offensive by the 18th and remnants of 16th Infantry Divisions, which linked up with the 5th Infantry Division near the city, according to a military statement.

“Our forces from the Al Sayyad axis succeeded in opening the road to El Obeid and have linked up with the lions of Al-Hajana (5^th Infantry Division) at Jebel Kordofan,” SAF spokesman Brigadier General Nabil Abdallah said in a statement.

The breakthrough followed recent SAF gains in the region, including the recapture of Um Ruwaba and Al Rahad.

Finance Minister and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) leader, Gibril Ibrahim, confirmed the victory, attributing it to the combined efforts of the military, allied former Darfur rebel groups, and local resistance forces.

He said the advance would facilitate further operations in Darfur, including attempts to relieve El Fasher.

“Today’s strategic victory represents a qualitative shift…and a giant step towards lifting the siege on Fasher Al-Sultan,” Ibrahim wrote on social media platform X.

The SAF’s “Al Sayyad” forces, remnants of the 16th Infantry Division, spearheaded the operation, the military said.

Video evidence reviewed by Sudans Post confirmed SAF troop movements outside El Obeid and inside the city.

Footage also placed the commander of the 5th Infantry Division at Jebel Kordofan, marking the army’s first presence in the area in nearly two years.

In a separate development, the SAF captured Al Qutaynah, a town in White Nile State bordering Khartoum State, threatening RSF supply lines to the capital.

“The heroes of White Nile [state] were also able to destroy the gangs of Al Daglo militia and successfully purify Al Qutaynah,” Abdallah said.

The capture of Al Qutaynah brings the SAF closer to Jebel Awlia, a key RSF supply route linking southern Omdurman to Khartoum. This is the only bridge linking Omdurman to Khartoum the RSF controls.

Clashes continued in Khartoum, with the SAF reporting gains in Bahri (Khartoum North) and fighting near the strategic Soba Bridge.

The SAF’s recent victories provide a morale boost and logistical advantage, but the RSF remains entrenched in parts of Khartoum and Al Jazirah State, raising the prospect of counterattacks.