THE Sudanese army has claimed to have regained control of a major road linking the capital Khartoum with el-Obeid.

The road has been under siege by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the army’s announcement marks the first major offensive against the paramilitary group in months.

Sunday’s capture of the al-Sadarat highway will help the Egyptian and Saudi-supported army to move troops, weapons, fuel and supplies.

It will also block a push by the United Arab Emirates-backed RSF to seize el-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state.

About half a million people are reportedly trapped in the city, where the United Nations says a humanitarian catastrophe is taking place, with the population facing intense RSF drone attacks.

In a statement issued on Sunday, the Sudanese army said it had managed to recapture a number of towns and cities between Khartoum and el-Obeid after two days of intense fighting.

Its troops have “inflicted heavy losses in lives and equipment” on the RSF, the army said, adding: “With this victory, the forces have taken control of the export route of Omdurman al-Abyd.”

The conflict has killed at least 40,000 people, according to the World Health Organisation, and displaced more than 14 million.