What's happened
Fighting in Sudan's South and North Kordofan has intensified, with control over key towns shifting between forces. Civilians face severe shortages of food and medical supplies amid ongoing military clashes, prompting urgent calls for international aid. The situation remains volatile as both sides claim control of strategic locations.
What's behind the headline?
The recent escalation reflects a broader pattern of fragmented control and intensified military engagement in Sudan. The conflicting reports of territorial control between the RSF and SAF highlight the chaos and lack of clear command. The siege of Kadugli and Dilling, combined with the fighting over Kweik and Habila, signals a potential spiral into wider regional instability. International actors face mounting pressure to intervene, but the ongoing conflict's complexity and multiple factions make resolution difficult. The humanitarian crisis will likely worsen unless a ceasefire is brokered, as civilians are caught in the crossfire with limited access to food, healthcare, and safe shelter. The current military momentum suggests prolonged instability, with the risk of further displacement and regional spillover.
What the papers say
All Africa reports that forces have established control over strategic roads linking Dilling and Kadugli, with ongoing battles and conflicting claims about territorial control. The Sudanese Doctors Network warns of a humanitarian catastrophe due to sieges and shelling, emphasizing the severe shortages of food and medical supplies. Meanwhile, Al Jazeera highlights the broader escalation of violence, including the seizure of oil infrastructure and the impact of international funding cuts on humanitarian operations. The contrasting reports from different sources underscore the fluid and chaotic nature of the conflict, with each side claiming advances while civilians suffer the consequences. The international community's response remains critical, as the UN warns of a 'survival mode' scenario in Sudan, with millions at risk of starvation in 2026.
How we got here
Since December 2025, Sudan has experienced escalating conflict involving the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and allied movements. The fighting has targeted strategic towns like Dilling, Kadugli, and Habila, with control shifting between factions. The conflict has deepened regional tensions and worsened humanitarian conditions, especially in South Kordofan, where sieges and battles have led to displacement and shortages of essentials.
Go deeper
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The Rapid Support Forces are Sudanese paramilitary forces operated by the Sudanese Government. The RSF grew out of, and is primarily composed of, the Janjaweed militias which fought on behalf of the Sudanese government during the War in Darfur, killing an
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Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in North-East Africa. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southe