The ongoing civil war in Sudan, which erupted on April 15, 2023, is driven by the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti). What began as a power struggle between these two generals—initially allies in a 2021 military coup that ousted a transitional civilian government—has escalated into a devastating nationwide conflict. The SAF controls much of the north and east, including the capital Khartoum (recaptured in March 2025), while the RSF dominates the west, particularly Darfur, and parts of the center and south. As of December 2025, the war has no clear end in sight, with both sides advancing territorially amid foreign interventions and stalled peace efforts.

Sudan’s turmoil stems from a fragile post-2019 transition following the ouster of longtime dictator Omar al-Bashir amid mass protests. Burhan and Hemedti, who co-led the transitional council, clashed over integrating the RSF (evolved from the notorious Janjaweed militias responsible for Darfur atrocities in the 2000s) into the regular army and the timeline for civilian rule. Tensions boiled over in Khartoum, where fighting rapidly spread. The conflict has ethnic dimensions, especially in Darfur, where RSF forces—predominantly Arab—have targeted non-Arab groups like the Masalit, leading to accusations of genocide.

The battlefield remains fluid, with recent RSF gains in Darfur raising fears of further ethnic violence. Here’s a snapshot of key developments:

Region/Area	Controlling Force	Recent Events (November 2025)
Khartoum	SAF	Retaken by SAF in March 2025; ongoing skirmishes, but stable under army control. SAF announced plans for a civilian-led transitional government upon full consolidation.
Darfur (incl. El Fasher, Nyala, Geneina)	RSF	RSF captured El Fasher after a 500+ day siege in late October, leading to mass killings (hundreds reported dead) and displacement of 450,000+. RSF also seized Bara in North Kordofan, displacing 4,500. All major Darfur cities now under RSF control, prompting UN warnings of genocide risk.
Kordofan (North, South, West)	Mixed (SAF dominant in north; RSF advancing)	RSF drone strikes on Kadugli; SAF air superiority pounding RSF positions. Fears of a “decisive battle” as RSF redeploys from Sennar to White Nile. Over 120 killed in RSF attack on a civilian convoy near Kabkabiya.
Gezira & Sennar	SAF (recent gains)	SAF retook Wad Madani in January; RSF withdrew from Sennar but continues attacks on camps (e.g., 18 killed in Shukaba).
East (Port Sudan, Gedaref)	SAF	RSF suicide drones targeted Kassala Airport and Port Sudan Air Base, causing blackouts and injuries. SAF holds key infrastructure.

Overall, Sudan is effectively partitioned into SAF-held north/east and RSF-dominated west/center, with militias like the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) allying with RSF in some areas. Both sides use drones extensively, exacerbating civilian casualties.

Sudan’s war is the world’s largest displacement and humanitarian emergency, with over half the population (30+ million) needing aid. Key impacts include:

• Atrocities: RSF-linked massacres in El Fasher (e.g., 75 killed in a mosque drone strike); ethnic cleansing in Darfur. UN and U.S. have labeled RSF actions as genocide. Sexual violence, child recruitment, and aid worker attacks are rampant.
• Displacement: 12–14 million internally displaced; 3.1 million refugees (mostly in Chad, South Sudan, Egypt). El Fasher’s fall alone displaced 450,000.
• Casualties: 150,000+ deaths from fighting, famine, and disease since 2023.
• Food Insecurity: 21–24 million face acute hunger; 375,000 on famine’s brink. Between December 2024 and May 2025, 24 million were affected.
• Health/Access: Blackouts from drone strikes on power/water stations; IRC scaling back aid due to funding shortages (only 28.5% of 2025 plan funded).

Sudan’s war exacerbates violence in South Sudan, with 7.7 million facing food insecurity there.

International Involvement and Peace EffortsForeign powers have turned Sudan into a proxy battlefield, complicating resolution:

Actor	Alignment/Support	Key Actions
UAE	RSF	Accused of arms/funding; Sudan filed ICJ genocide complicity case in March 2025. Denies involvement but criticized by U.S./UK.
Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Turkey	SAF	Accused of Weapons, training (e.g., Turkey hosts SAF at Camp TURKSOM); mediation offers.
Iran, Russia (Wagner/PMC)	SAF	Accused of Drones/weapons from Iran
Chad, Libya (Haftar), Ethiopia	RSF	Border incursions; Ethiopia accused of exploiting Al-Fashaga dispute.
U.S./Quad (UAE, Egypt, Saudi)	Neutral (mediation)	Sanctions on Burhan/Hemedti (Jan 2025); proposed 3-month truce + 9-month civilian transition. Trump admin demands arms halt to RSF.
UN/AU/UK/EU	Neutral	UN Human Rights Council probe into El Fasher killings (Nov 2025); UK increased aid; AU/IGAD talks stalled. RSF agreed to humanitarian ceasefire post-El Fasher, but violations persist.

Peace initiatives like Jeddah/Geneva talks have failed to unite parties. The “Quad” pushes for ceasefire and civilian rule, but experts warn of “performance over action.” ICC investigations continue into Darfur war crimes.

War is a complex and multifaceted phenomenon that has shaped human history for millennia. At its core, war involves organized conflict between groups, typically nations or states, and is often driven by a variety of factors, including territorial disputes, resource competition, political power struggles, and ideological differences. The impact of war is profound, affecting not only the immediate participants but also civilians who suffer from displacement, economic disruption, and loss of life. Over time, the nature of warfare has evolved, with advances in technology and strategy leading to new forms of conflict, such as cyber warfare and asymmetrical warfare involving non-state actors. While war can sometimes lead to significant political or social change, it also raises ethical questions about the human cost and the pursuit of peace. Efforts to prevent and resolve conflicts through diplomacy, international cooperation, and peacekeeping remain crucial to fostering a more stable and just world.

In Sudan, Without urgent de-escalation, their will be t further atrocities. The war risks regional spillover, especially into South Sudan. International donors must boost funding (e.g., via UNHCR, IRC, UNICEF) and enforce arms embargoes. Civilians demand accountability and a unified national army in any post-war charter.

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