Sudanese army nears end of Kadugli siege in South Kordofan

February 1, 2026 (KADUGLI) – The Sudanese army is closing in on breaking a tight blockade of Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan state, after seizing strategic positions on Sunday.

The city has been under a suffocating siege by a coalition of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdelaziz al-Hilu since the early months of the war that began in 2023.

In February last year, the army managed to link Kadugli to Dilling, the state’s second-largest city. However, the RSF and SPLM-N regained control of the strategic Junction area in December, isolating the two cities once again and causing conditions in Kadugli to deteriorate.

The prolonged siege has resulted in extremely harsh humanitarian conditions due to a lack of food and medicine. The crisis has forced thousands of civilians to flee on a gruelling journey toward North Kordofan, while others have sought refuge in SPLM-N-controlled areas in the Nuba Mountains.

Military sources told Sudan Tribune that a force from the army and the Joint Force deployed from Dilling and seized the strategic Al-Dashol area, which is located on the national highway connecting Dilling and Kadugli.

Meanwhile, Sudanese army drones have been carrying out continuous airstrikes targeting RSF and SPLM-N positions in the Junction area, Al-Dashol, and Kiga Al-Khail. The military said these strikes are intended to clear the way for infantry units to advance toward Kadugli and end the blockade.

On January 26, the Sudanese army and its allies in the Joint Force ended the siege on Dilling after fierce battles against the RSF and the SPLM-N. The army succeeded in linking Dilling to North Kordofan through rugged roads to the east, allowing the transport of food and medical supplies to those trapped inside the city.