Khartoum – Sudan Now | February 3, 2026
By Abdelaziz Yakub
The Chairman of the Sovereignty Council and Commander-in-Chief of the Sudanese Armed Forces, Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan, announced the opening of the road to the city of Kadugli in South Kordofan State, confirming that the siege imposed on the city has been lifted after several years. This field development could have a significant impact on the course of military operations in the region.
The Sudan News Agency reported that the armed forces have taken control of the “Keiga Crossroads” area, enabling the opening of a land corridor and linking the city with advancing forces. No additional official details have been released regarding conditions inside Kadugli or the nature of the military deployment following the operation.
In a statement from the studios of Sudan National Television in Omdurman, al-Burhan said that the armed forces “will reach any place in Sudan.”
Military Analysis
The Sudanese forces have succeeded in lifting the siege of Kadugli in an operation described by military experts as strategic in nature, with the potential to reshape the balance of power in South Kordofan. This development came after focused operations aimed at breaking the encirclement around the city and enabling the forces to secure supply lines and vital positions.
According to military sources, the operation represents a qualitative leap in the army’s capabilities to deal with complex sieges and field threats, as it is seen as a step that could shift Kadugli from a defensive position to a military pivot point capable of influencing the movements of its opponents in the operational area of the state.
In a comment, military affairs analyst Mohamed Mustafa said that the lifting of the siege “was not merely a tactical breakthrough, but a strategic maneuver based on the element of surprise and a high degree of coordination among the different units,” considering this to reflect an advanced capability in managing siege battles.
Analysts also believe that the operation may carry deterrent messages to the parties attempting to impose a siege on strategic cities, noting that successfully securing roads and vital centers could strengthen the army’s ability to protect civilians and support stability, although the ultimate impact will remain linked to developments on the ground.
Field indicators
The VISTA account (@VistaMaps), which specializes in tracking maps and military movements, reported that the armed forces have tightened control over the roads linking Dilling and Kadugli, which are described as strategic axes due to containing camps and deployment points.
According to the same source, the road connecting Kadugli to Al-Kharasana intersects with the national highway, which could provide the forces with a logistical advantage in securing supplies. It also noted that the 10th Infantry Division is now approximately 40 kilometers from the town of Kauda, which serves as a major center for the operations of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North (SPLM).
These estimates could not be independently verified, and the SPLM has not issued an immediate comment on the developments.
Kadugli is an administrative and strategic center in South Kordofan and has repeatedly suffered isolation due to fighting and road closures, which has affected the flow of goods and aid, increased the cost of living, and restricted civilian movement.
In recent years, the state has witnessed repeated clashes between the Sudanese army and the SPLM-N, which has contributed to complicating both the security and humanitarian situations, making control over land routes a decisive factor in any field developments.
