Despite significant military gains by both sides, Sudan remains embroiled in a protracted conflict marked by deteriorating conditions and expanding control, with no clear resolution in sight.
The Sudanese conflict, now entering its fourth year, is characterized by a stalemate and a worsening humanitarian crisis. While some areas, particularly Khartoum and central regions, have experienced a fragile return to near-normalcy after the army regained control, the overall situation remains deeply unstable. Economic hardship and ongoing military deadlock in the Kordofan region, coupled with a deteriorating humanitarian situation in Darfur, continue to fuel the conflict. The military landscape is sharply divided. The Sudanese army currently controls the northern, central, and eastern states, along with the capital, Khartoum. Conversely, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) dominate Darfur and substantial parts of the Kordofan states, extending their reach into the Blue Nile region. In 2024, the army achieved notable successes, including the recapture of Khartoum State from the RSF, the retaking of Wad Madani, the breaking of the siege of el-Obeid, and the regaining of key cities in South Kordofan, such as Kadugli and Dilling. These advances demonstrated a concerted effort to push back against the RSF’s expansion. However, the RSF mounted a series of significant offensives. Most prominently, they captured el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, after a two-year siege, consolidating their control over most of the region. Despite remaining forces in parts of North Kordofan and South Kordofan, including areas like Umm Qarfah and Al Quoz, the RSF also pushed into West Kordofan, capturing Babnusa and controlling the Heglig oil region, effectively placing West Kordofan under their control. Furthermore, by the end of the third year, the conflict expanded into eastern Sudan, with the RSF and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) capturing the city of Kurmuk in Blue Nile State. DATA: As the war enters its fourth year, neither side has achieved a decisive victory as the humanitarian situation remains grim. Sudan’s war has entered its fourth year, but there is little indication the conflict will end any time soon, as the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are locked in battle for control of the North African nation. Life has gradually returned to a fragile state of near-normalcy in the capital, Khartoum, and central regions after the army regained control of the regions. However, this relative stability has been accompanied by a sense of unsettling uncertainty, as economic and living conditions continue to deteriorate, the military deadlock persists in the Kordofan region, and the humanitarian crisis in Darfur has worsened. On the ground, the conflict has created a clear division between eastern and western Sudan, with the Sudanese army controlling the northern, central and eastern states, as well as the capital. Meanwhile, the RSF controls Darfur and large parts of the three Kordofan states, and has also opened a new front in the Blue Nile region along the border with Ethiopia. On May 20 of last year, the Sudanese army recaptured Khartoum State from the RSF forces after more than two years of fighting, marking one of the biggest military developments of the year. Earlier, on January 11, 2025, the army also retook Wad Madani, the capital of Gezira State. It then expanded its advances by pushing RSF forces out of northern White Nile State, breaking the siege on el-Obeid in February 2025, and regaining Kadugli and Dilling in South Kordofan by last February. The army retook Bara, the second-largest city in North Kordofan, in March. What gains have the RSF made? Despite the army’s achievements, the RSF made significant military progress as well. Most notable is their capture of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, on October 26 of last year after a two-year siege. This allowed it to consolidate control over most of the region, except for three northern regions still held by the army and joint forces, as well as areas controlled by the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) armed group led by Abdel Wahid al-Nur. Emboldened by the fall of el-Fasher, the RSF advanced towards Babnusa in West Kordofan later in December 2025. This came shortly before the army withdrew from the Heglig oil region, the country’s largest oilfield in West Kordofan, resulting in the state in effect falling under RSF control. RSF forces remain present in scattered areas of North Kordofan, including Umm Qarfah, Jabra al-Sheikh, Umm Badr, Hamra al-Sheikh, and Sodari. They are also active in parts of South Kordofan, particularly in Al Quoz, Al-Hamadi and Al Dibibat. By the end of the third year, the conflict had spread to eastern Sudan. And with the joint force of the RSF and SPLM-North, the city of Kurmuk in Blue Nile State was captured in March of last year. This prompted the Sudanese government to accuse
Sources: Based on reporting from Al Jazeera
✨ This report was generated by AI News Assistant.
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