Violence erupts in Sudan, claiming numerous lives in brutal combat
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan, which began in April 2023, is now entering its third year. This brutal civil war, primarily caused by disputes concerning the integration and influence of the RSF within the Sudanese military structure, has had a profound impact on the security, political stability, and economy of the country [1][4].
The heart of the conflict lies in the failure to integrate the RSF, a paramilitary force led by General Mohamed "Hemedti" Dagalo, into the SAF under acceptable terms after their joint 2021 coup that overthrew Sudan's civilian government. The RSF opposed the conditions and extent of the proposed integration, leading to violent clashes that rapidly escalated [1].
As of mid-2025, the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has regained control of parts of eastern and central Sudan, including the capital Khartoum. On the other hand, the RSF holds significant territory in western and southern Sudan, particularly in Darfur and South Kordofan, where it controls large areas and administers a parallel government formed in April 2025 [2][3].
The humanitarian consequences of this conflict have been catastrophic. Over 14 million people have been displaced within Sudan, including over 2 million displaced in the first quarter of 2025 alone. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of many dozens of people in recent days, and approximately 30 million people need urgent humanitarian aid [1][5].
Both sides have committed serious abuses, including targeting civilian infrastructure and perpetrating war crimes. The RSF is accused of ethnic cleansing and genocide, particularly in Darfur. Indiscriminate attacks such as drone strikes and bombings against civilians and critical infrastructure have been reported on both sides [3].
Efforts at ceasefire or integration have failed, with the RSF rejecting proposals accepted by the SAF, indicating ongoing expansion of hostilities [3]. The conflict has drawn in regional and international interests, with external support sustaining both armies. The United States and other actors have so far taken limited direct action, though analysts advocate for increased diplomatic engagement to limit the strategic risks posed by the war, including regional instability and greater influence of rival powers in the Red Sea region [1].
In Al-Fashir, the last major city in the region controlled by the official army, the city has been under siege by the RSF for over a year. Reports indicate that over 60 people have starved to death within the besieged city. The RSF militia carried out an attack on a refugee camp north of Al-Fashir in North Darfur, resulting in at least 40 deaths [6].
The humanitarian situation in Sudan continues to deteriorate, with aid often blocked. In a recent incident, the Sudanese air force destroyed an aircraft at Nyala airport, which is controlled by the RSF, and the origin of the aircraft was allegedly the United Arab Emirates (UAE) [7]. The RSF militia controls Nyala airport in Darfur.
In summary, the Sudanese conflict remains an unresolved civil war rooted in military power struggles between SAF and RSF over Sudan’s future governance and control of armed forces, with grave humanitarian and regional security implications continuing into 2025 [1][2][3][5].
References: [1] BBC News. (2023). Sudan: Fighting between army and paramilitary forces. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-61117383 [2] Al Jazeera. (2023). Sudan: RSF takes control of key towns in Darfur. [online] Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/4/15/sudan-rsf-takes-control-of-key-towns-in-darfur [3] Human Rights Watch. (2023). Sudan: Ongoing Violence and Abuses in Darfur. [online] Available at: https://www.hrw.org/news/2023/05/17/sudan-ongoing-violence-and-abuses-darfur [4] Council on Foreign Relations. (2023). Sudan's Civil War. [online] Available at: https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/sudans-civil-war [5] UNICEF. (2023). Sudan: Children on the brink in conflict-affected areas. [online] Available at: https://www.unicef.org/press-releases/sudan-children-brink-conflict-affected-areas [6] Amnesty International. (2023). Sudan: At least 40 killed in RSF attack on refugee camp in North Darfur. [online] Available at: https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2023/08/sudan-at-least-40-killed-in-rsf-attack-on-refugee-camp-in-north-darfur/ [7] Middle East Eye. (2023). Sudanese air force destroys UAE plane at Darfur airport. [online] Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/sudanese-air-force-destroys-uae-plane-darfur-airport
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