The Sudanese army has announced the recapture of the strategic Al Sadarat highway, a major development in the ongoing conflict with the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The highway connects the capital, Khartoum, with El-Obeid, a key city in the Kordofan region that has remained under siege by RSF forces for months.
According to the army, its troops regained control of the highway and surrounding towns following two days of intense fighting. Military officials said the operation resulted in heavy losses for RSF fighters and enabled government forces to reclaim important positions along the route.
The recapture of the highway is expected to have significant military and humanitarian implications. The route provides an important logistical link between Khartoum and Kordofan, potentially allowing the army to move troops and supplies more efficiently while limiting the RSF’s ability to advance towards El-Obeid.
The city, where an estimated half a million people remain trapped, has faced prolonged insecurity and disruption as the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF continues.
Analysts say the army’s latest gains could restore a direct connection between the capital and Kordofan for the first time in several months. Such a development could help reduce pressure on communities that have been isolated by the fighting and improve access to essential supplies.
The highway could also support the reopening of important commercial routes. Kordofan is a major agricultural and livestock-producing region, and the restoration of road access could help facilitate the movement of livestock, agricultural products and other essential goods.
The RSF had reportedly controlled much of the 217-mile corridor since the conflict erupted in April 2023, making the army’s recapture a potentially significant shift in control of the region.
The development comes as Sudan’s prolonged conflict continues to cause widespread displacement, humanitarian suffering and economic disruption. Fighting between the army and the RSF has devastated communities across the country, while millions of people have been forced from their homes.
For the Sudanese army, securing the highway could provide a strategic advantage by improving access to Kordofan and strengthening its ability to operate in the region.
For civilians, however, the significance of the development will depend largely on whether the improved access can translate into greater security and humanitarian relief.
The recapture of the route could create opportunities for aid organisations to reach isolated communities and for commercial activities to resume in areas where fighting has disrupted normal economic life.
However, the security situation remains volatile, and control of strategic routes can shift as the conflict continues.
The army’s latest advance nonetheless represents an important military development, potentially reshaping access between Khartoum and Kordofan while placing additional pressure on RSF positions around El-Obeid.
As Sudan’s war continues, the control of major roads and transport corridors remains central to both military strategy and the survival of communities affected by the conflict.
