Sudanese army takes full control of Omdurman-El Obeid road

July 26, 2026 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese army announced on Sunday that it had seized complete control of the vital Export road connecting the capital Khartoum to North Kordofan state, following two days of fierce clashes with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Military operations began on Saturday when army troops and allied forces advanced from defensive positions in the Raheed Al-Nuba area, west of Omdurman. The force engaged in heavy battles to secure the towns of Um Sayala, Bara, and Jabrat Al-Sheikh before advancing further on Sunday.

The army spokesperson declared in a statement that troops liberated the areas of Um Qurfa and Jarigakh after successful operations that inflicted heavy losses in lives and equipment on RSF fighters, forcing them to flee.

The statement added that with these consecutive victories, armed forces have secured total control over the Omdurman-El Obeid Export route as part of ongoing operations across the region.

Field commanders confirmed in a video message that forces from the 5th Infantry Division advancing from El Obeid successfully linked up in Jabrat Al-Sheikh with joint forces moving from Raheed Al-Nuba.

Military sources said allied forces also repulsed a heavy RSF attack early Sunday near Bara and Jabrat Al-Sheikh, destroying multiple enemy military vehicles and inflicting severe casualties.

The RSF had controlled most of the 350-kilometre strategic highway since the early months of the conflict that erupted in April 2023, using it as a main supply route between western Sudan and Khartoum.

Regaining control of the Export road secures the eastern flank of El Obeid, establishes a direct ground link between North Kordofan and Omdurman, and expands the defensive security perimeter west of the Sudanese capital.