The Sudanese army has claimed control of the Al Sadarat highway, a critical supply route between Khartoum and El Obeid, according to Al Jazeera. This development marks a strategic shift in the ongoing conflict with the RSF, which had held the highway since 2023. The move could ease humanitarian access but comes amid escalating violence and civilian suffering in the region.
The Sudanese army announced on July 27, 2026, that it had regained control of the Al Sadarat highway, a 350km (217-mile) route connecting the capital, Khartoum, to el-Obeid in North Kordofan. This highway had been under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 2023, when the conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF began. The army stated that the recapture of the highway would allow for faster movement of troops, fuel, and supplies to el-Obeid, which has been isolated by RSF positions. The Sudanese military also claimed to have inflicted heavy losses
on RSF fighters during recent battles, forcing them to retreat.
Military Significance of the Al Sadarat Highway
The Al Sadarat highway is a vital military supply route, according to Al Jazeera. Its recapture by the Sudanese army restores a direct connection between Khartoum and Kordofan, which had been severed for months. The highway’s strategic importance lies in its ability to reduce reliance on longer, more vulnerable routes through the White Nile State. Analysts noted that controlling the highway could also open trade routes for livestock and agricultural products from the Kordofan region, while easing pressure on el-Obeid, which has been largely cut off by RSF blockades.
The Sudanese army emphasized that the highway’s recapture would hinder the RSF’s efforts to seize el-Obeid, a city that could grant the paramilitary force control over western Sudan. The army’s victory on the highway, however, could shift the balance of power in the region, though the RSF has not yet commented on the development.
Humanitarian Crises in El Obeid
Civilians in el-Obeid face dire conditions, with the United Nations warning of a humanitarian catastrophe. The Africa Report highlighted that residents are trapped in a city of half a million people, where access to water is perilous. Women and girls, in particular, face an impossible choice
between risking drone strikes by collecting water in daylight or facing sexual violence by waiting until dark. The UN Women agency reported that sexual violence has been used as a weapon throughout the three-year conflict, with testimonies describing rape committed in front of family members.
The UN has suspended aid operations in the area, leaving 600,000 people vulnerable to an imminent RSF assault.
Unresolved Tensions and Future Risks
While the Sudanese army’s control of the Al Sadarat highway represents a tactical win, the broader conflict remains volatile. The RSF has not yet disclosed its response to the loss of the highway, but analysts warn that the group may attempt to regroup and launch a counteroffensive. The Africa Report noted that the RSF has been observed moving troops 60 kilometers north, south, and west of el-Obeid, suggesting preparations for further aggression. The city’s strategic value—hosting an infantry division, an air base, and a key oil pipeline—makes it a critical prize for both sides.
The international community has yet to intervene decisively, with the UN expressing concerns about potential hallmarks of genocide
in the RSF’s attacks. The Sudanese army’s recent advances may temporarily relieve pressure on el-Obeid, but the humanitarian crisis shows no signs of abating. As the conflict enters its third year, the question remains: will the recapture of the Al Sadarat highway translate into lasting stability, or will it merely delay the next phase of violence?
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