• Sudanese army reports breaking the RSF siege on Kadugli, ending a years-long blockade.
• Army's advance could alleviate famine conditions for approximately 147,000 displaced residents.
• General al-Burhan insists on military support and denies any possibility of a truce with the RSF.
• The conflict has resulted in over 13.6 million people being displaced since April 2023.
• Humanitarian conditions remain dire despite the military’s advances in the region.

The Sudanese military has announced that it has successfully broken a years-long siege imposed by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the city of Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan. This significant breakthrough comes after days of fighting and aims to open supply routes that will aid the famine-stricken population. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan celebrated this achievement, asserting, "Congratulations to the people of Kadugli on the liberation of the city," and emphasized the military's commitment to reaching all areas of Sudan, according to Al Jazeera and AA.

In the aftermath of the siege, which has left millions displaced and led to severe food shortages, humanitarian experts warn that conditions remain catastrophic. The United Nations reported that nearly 80% of Kadugli's population has fled, exacerbating what has been described as one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, affecting over 13.6 million people since conflict erupted in April 2023. "The mothers had one recurrent story... they flee for their lives after having been starved for months," said Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, highlighting the dire situation even after the military's advance, according to Reuters and AfricaNews.

General al-Burhan was adamant about the military’s stance against negotiating any form of truce with the RSF, stating, "There will be no truce that would strengthen the enemy." This statement reflects the ongoing power struggle since the prelude to the conflict, with RSF and its allies controlling several regions, including most of the western Darfur area, which has seen severe clashes. Analysts point out that the military's advances will allow for crucial supplies of food and medicine to reach civilians, albeit slowly, as the siege conditions have drastically increased the cost of basic necessities, according to Al Jazeera, AA, and Reuters.