Sudan’s military breaks RSF’s two-year siege on key city amid escalating battle for Khartoum

Sudan’s military achieved a significant victory on Sunday, breaking a nearly two-year-long siege of the crucial city of Obeid by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The city located in the country’s southern-central region, which serves as the capital of North Kordofan province, had been under siege by the RSF since the war broke out in April 2023. The military’s successful recapture of Obeid restores vital supply routes and strengthens access to strategic areas, including key military infrastructure and humanitarian aid delivery points. The military’s spokesperson, Brig. Gen. Nabil Abdullah, confirmed that RSF units were defeated in the region. The breakthrough is seen as part of a broader military campaign to reclaim lost territory, including key urban areas such as Goma and Wad Medani. The Sudanese army has also made advances against the paramilitary forces in other regions, further weakening the group’s hold on the country.
Despite these military successes, Sudan faces significant challenges. Both the army and the RSF have been accused of committing atrocities, including war crimes and genocide, particularly in Darfur. Meanwhile, the RSF has formed a breakaway government, based in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, covering areas under its control, which has raised concerns about a potential split in the country. As violence continues, the country is also grappling with a cholera outbreak in White Nile province, which has killed dozens and infected thousands. This comes as a momentous battle is now under way, with the Sudanese army advancing into the capital city of Khartoum. Whatever the outcome of the Sudanese army’s push to retake Khartoum, says a new report by the International Crisis Group (ICG), “the battle will likely deepen the involvement of regional powers in the war and could even spur informal partition.”