Lead

The Sudanese army has regained control of a major highway linking the capital, Khartoum, with el-Obeid, according to military sources. The development marks a significant shift in the ongoing conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been trying to seize el-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state.

The highway, known as Al Sadarat, had been under RSF control since April 2023, according to Al Jazeera. The army's recapture of the route on Sunday follows two days of fierce battles and comes after the RSF had been amassing troops around el-Obeid for months, as reported by military sources cited by Africa News.

Coverage Comparison

Reports from Africa News and Al Jazeera both confirm the army's recapture of the highway, though they emphasize different aspects. Africa News highlighted the strategic importance of the road and the ongoing closure of the route to civilians, while Al Jazeera detailed the military implications and the humanitarian situation in el-Obeid.

Africa News reported that the RSF have been pushed west, off the highway, and that although the road to Khartoum remains closed to civilians, the army's advance opens a second supply route to el-Obeid. Al Jazeera said the capture of the highway will help the army move troops, weapons, fuel, and supplies, and will also block the RSF's push to seize el-Obeid.

Al Jazeera quoted its correspondent AlMigdad Alruhaid as saying the capture restores "a direct connection between the capital and Kordofan for the first time in months," and described the highway as a key military supply route.

Key Claims

Multiple sources reported that the Sudanese army regained control of the highway linking Khartoum and el-Obeid. Al Jazeera stated that the RSF had controlled the highway since April 2023, and that the army's recapture will help block the RSF's push to seize el-Obeid.

Al Jazeera also reported that about half a million people are trapped in el-Obeid, where the United Nations has warned of a humanitarian catastrophe, with residents facing intense RSF drone attacks. The army's statement, quoted by Al Jazeera, said its troops retook the areas of Um Qurfa and Jarigakh after operations that "inflicted heavy losses in lives and equipment [of RSF fighters], forcing them to flee."

On the human cost of the conflict, Africa News cited aid workers estimating that more than 200,000 lives have been claimed since the conflict broke out in April 2023. Al Jazeera, however, reported that the conflict has killed an estimated 40,000 people. These figures reflect differing estimates from various sources.

Africa News also reported that the conflict has triggered the world's largest hunger crisis.

Perspectives

Sudanese Army

The Sudanese army announced it had regained full control of the highway, stating that its troops recaptured areas after operations that inflicted heavy losses on RSF fighters, forcing them to flee. The army described the capture as a victory that gives it control of the export route of Omdurman Al-Abyd.

Military Sources (anonymous)

Two military sources told Africa News that the army regained control of the highway, and one source noted that the army's advance opens a second supply route to el-Obeid, despite the road to Khartoum remaining closed to civilians.