What's happened
The Sudanese war enters a new phase as SAF advances in key fronts, RSF defections rise, and regional powers face ongoing calls for a humanitarian truce. Drones and long-range strikes continue to target civilians and critical infrastructure, prompting fresh international concern.
What's behind the headline?
Context and Trajectory
- The war is expanding beyond Darfur into Blue Nile and Kordofan, signaling a broader regional contest rather than a binary battlefield.
- Defections from the RSF are increasing, which could weaken the paramilitary's cohesion but does not yet imply a collapse.
- External actors and drone warfare are multiplying the war's lethality and geographic reach, complicating any ceasefire prospects.
What this means for civilians
- Civilians face heightened risk from drone strikes and ground fighting near supply lines.
- Humanitarian access remains precarious as fighting shifts along major routes and border areas.
Outlook
- A political process remains dependent on battlefield dynamics; momentum on the ground will shape talks in Addis Ababa and other venues.
- The international community is pressed to balance humanitarian access with strategic diplomacy to curb external involvement.
How we got here
Since 2023, Sudan's war between the army (SAF) and the RSF has escalated into a multi-front conflict. Recent months have seen battlefield pressure in North Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Darfur, with SAF retaking supply routes and RSF fighters defecting to the army. External actors are accused of arming both sides, while humanitarian needs remain dire across displacement camps and urban centers.
Our analysis
AL JAZEERA, AP News, All Africa, The Mirror, The New Arab, The New Arab, All Africa, All Africa, Al Jazeera, AP News.
Go deeper
- What impact will RSF defections have on the war's timeline?
- Which countries are most involved in arming or backing the two sides?
- Is a humanitarian truce moving forward and what are its terms?
More on these topics
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Sudan - Country in North Africa
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Khartoum - Capital of Sudan
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United Nations - Intergovernmental organization
The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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Darfur
Darfur is a region of western Sudan. Dār is an Arabic word meaning "home [of]" – the region was named Dardaju while ruled by the Daju, who migrated from Meroë c. 350 AD, and it was renamed Dartunjur when the Tunjur ruled the area.
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Abdel Fattah al-Burhan - Chairman of the Transitional Military Council
Lt. Gen. Abdel Fattah Abdelrahman al-Burhan is a Sudanese politician and Sudanese Army general who is currently serving as Chairman of the Sovereignty Council of Sudan, the country's collective transitional head of state.
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Chad - Country in Central Africa
Chad, officially known as the Republic of Chad, is a landlocked country in north-central Africa. It is bordered by Libya to the north, Sudan to the east, the Central African Republic to the south, Cameroon to the south-west, Nigeria to the southwest, and
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Ethiopia - Country in East Africa
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United States - Country in North America
The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Al-Jazeera - Media company
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South Kordofan - State of Sudan
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United Nations Security Council
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Omdurman - City in Sudan
Omdurman (Arabic: أُمّ دُرمان, romanized: Umm Durmān) is a major city in Sudan. It is the second most populous city in the country, located in the State of Khartoum. Omdurman lies on the west bank of the River Nile, opposite and northwest of the capital city of Khartoum. The city acts as an important road hub, with the Nile boosting transportation even further.
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North Kordofan - State of Sudan
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West Darfur - State of Sudan
West Darfur State (Arabic: ولاية غرب دارفور Wilāyat Ḡarb Dārfūr), historically Dar Masalit (Arabic: دار مساليت), is one of the states of Sudan, and one of five comprising the Darfur region. Prior to the creation of two new states in January 2012, it had an area of 79,460 km² and an estimated population of approximately 1,775,945 in 2018. It borders North and Central Darfur to the east. The Chadian prefectures of Biltine and Ouaddaï lie to the west, while to the north is the prefecture of Bourkou-Ennedi-Tibesti. Al-Junaynah is the capital of the state. West Darfur has been the site of much of the Darfur conflict. During the 2023 Sudan conflict, ethnic violence has been rampant across the region. This has included several Masalit massacres.
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