The Face of Truth | Ibrahim Shiglawi Lifting the Siege on El-Obeid: Tactical and Strategic Dimensions In a significant and calculated strategic shift, coinciding with the nearing end of the war and as part of the sweeping operations of the Sudanese Armed Forces across multiple battlefronts, Sudanese army units have achieved a qualitative advancement by breaking the siege on the city of El-Obeid. This was accomplished through the convergence of the "Martyr Al-Sayyad" battalion from White Nile State with the "Hagana Lions" battalion stationed in North Kordofan. This development, summarizing extensive operations conducted over the past period, represents a pivotal turning point in the ongoing military campaigns, enhancing the army’s ability to regain control over strategic areas and paving the way for the complete liberation of Darfur. The military operation, named "Bayn Al-Jabalayn Rakkazna Rijal" (Between the Two Mountains, We Positioned Men), conveyed several tactical and strategic messages, the most notable being the restoration of control over strategic infrastructure related to communications and supply lines. Additionally, the operation secured and effectively reactivated El-Obeid Airport, strengthening the army’s ability to support its operations across the western and southern regions. This also facilitates military and logistical reinforcements and enhances the effectiveness of air support in securing victory in the battle for El-Fasher. Moreover, reopening the "El-Obeid–Omdurman Export Road" for goods, which links production areas to commercial centers, is a key step in reviving economic activity after months of isolation. At the same time, the move effectively blocks any potential retreat routes for the militia from the battle for Khartoum, leaving them with only two choices: surrender or death. Securing Omdurman from the western front significantly weakens the militia’s ability to maneuver between its areas of control and cripples its capacity for redeployment. The tightening grip on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in this sector severs their lifeline and cuts off their supply and escape routes. The Sudanese Armed Forces' control over the El-Obeid mountain range solidifies their hold over strategic corridors previously used by the militia for positioning and regrouping. It also dismantles their communication networks, which they relied on to coordinate troop movements. Furthermore, this bolsters the army’s ability to expand operations into the RSF’s strongholds in Darfur, which in turn weakens the siege on El-Fasher and completely shuts down the Bara–Omdurman Road, one of the militia’s last remaining supply routes—forcing them into an inescapable choice: surrender or inevitable confrontation. The re-establishment of military links between White Nile and Kordofan is particularly crucial, given that the army, on another front, has completed the liberation of Al-Gitaina, advancing towards Jebel Aulia. This facilitates the coordination of offensive operations and sustains the army’s momentum in advancing towards the militia’s remaining strongholds. Regaining control over Al-Gitaina and Jebel Aulia marks a significant step in tightening the noose around the militia and cutting off any potential reinforcements. This operation has allowed civilians in El-Obeid to breathe the air of freedom after two years of siege. Celebrations and mass rallies have erupted, underscoring the significance of this military victory. The reopening of humanitarian supply routes will now enable the delivery of essential aid to the besieged population. What has been achieved on the ground is not just a tactical success but also a strategic transformation in the conduct of military operations. The Sudanese Armed Forces are now relying on synchronized and coordinated maneuvers to expand their control and systematically weaken the militia. The lifting of the siege on El-Obeid is not merely a battlefield victory—it is a step within a comprehensive strategy aimed at fully restoring national control, ensuring sovereignty, and eliminating the threats posed by armed militias. The next phase will likely witness an acceleration of operations to liberate all of Darfur, as military pressure continues on the remaining resistance pockets. Therefore, from the perspective of The Face of Truth, military victory is not merely about capturing cities but about imposing a new reality that restores balance in favor of the national state, laying the foundation for lasting stability, securing peace, and bringing security back to the Sudanese people. Wishing you well and in good health. Sunday, February 23, 2025 [email protected]