Sudan’s military has lifted a year-long RSF siege of Obeid, restoring strategic access. The military’s offensive has led to significant territorial gains against the RSF since the conflict began last year. Cholera outbreaks are also spreading in affected areas, exacerbating humanitarian challenges as fighting persists without resolution.
Sudan’s military has successfully lifted a year-long siege imposed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the key city of Obeid, located in the North Kordofan province. This strategic victory, announced by military spokesman Brig. Gen. Nabil Abdullah, restores crucial supply routes and military presence in the region. The city, which serves as a transportation hub and houses a vital airbase, had been under siege since the onset of the conflict in April 2023.
With the military’s efforts reopening access to Obeid, Finance Minister Jibril Ibrahim praised this as a significant achievement that would facilitate humanitarian aid delivery to North Darfur’s el-Fasher. Furthermore, the military expelled the RSF from their last stronghold in the White Nile province, highlighting a continued pushback against the paramilitary group’s influence in the area.
The chaos in Sudan escalated in April last year following a breakdown in relations between the military and the RSF, leading to widespread violence and significant human rights violations across the country. Atrocities reported by the United Nations and rights organizations include mass rape and ethnic killings, particularly within Darfur, amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The recent military successes are part of a broader offensive that began in September to reclaim territory from the RSF in the Great Khartoum area and have allowed the military to recapture strategic assets, including key oil facilities. Despite these victories, international mediation efforts have yet to yield a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict, which has seen spiraling violence since last year.
Simultaneously, a cholera outbreak has spread to Rabak city, with health officials reporting 68 deaths and over 1,860 diagnoses in White Nile province. Contaminated drinking water, primarily from facility damage during RSF attacks, has been identified as the outbreak’s primary cause. Vaccination campaigns have begun to address this health crisis, increasing vaccination rates in affected areas.
The Sudanese military has broken a lengthy siege by the RSF on the strategic city of Obeid, enhancing military control and supply lines. While the military achieves successes against the RSF, the country continues to grapple with severe humanitarian crises and outbreaks of disease linked to the ongoing conflict. The resolution appears distant amid continued violence and international efforts.
Original Source: apnews.com
