Khartoum, Sudan —
Sudan’s devastating civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues into its third year, with escalating violence, mounting civilian casualties, and a worsening humanitarian disaster that has become one of the most severe crises in the world.
The conflict began in April 2023 following the collapse of a fragile power-sharing arrangement between Sudan’s military leadership and the RSF, a powerful paramilitary force. Since then, fighting has spread across large parts of the country, killing tens of thousands of people and forcing millions to flee their homes, according to international estimates reported by AP News.
According to Al Jazeera, violence has intensified in Sudan’s Kordofan region.
In recent weeks, clashes have intensified in central and western Sudan, particularly in the Kordofan region, where both sides are battling for territorial and strategic control. Drone strikes and heavy artillery fire have increasingly hit civilian areas, with reports indicating that more than 100 civilians were killed in Kordofan during a wave of air and drone attacks. Markets, residential neighborhoods, and transport routes have not been spared, deepening fears among civilians trapped in conflict zones.
Violence has also continued in Darfur, where a drone strike on a local market in North Darfur state reportedly killed at least 10 people, highlighting the persistent insecurity even in areas under RSF influence. Aid groups warn that such attacks are worsening food shortages and disrupting already fragile supply chains.
The toll on healthcare infrastructure has been particularly severe. The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that at least 1,600 people have died this year alone as a result of attacks on hospitals, clinics, and medical personnel. Many facilities have been destroyed or forced to shut down, leaving millions without access to basic medical care.
International concern has grown over allegations of serious human rights abuses. A United Nations report released recently accused RSF forces of killing more than 1,000 civilians during an assault on the Zamzam displacement camp earlier this year. The report detailed accounts of house-to-house executions and widespread sexual violence, acts that UN officials say may constitute war crimes. Both the SAF and RSF have been accused by rights groups of violating international humanitarian law through indiscriminate attacks on civilian sites, including markets, homes, and hospitals, according to Reuters.
The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate at an alarming pace. More than 14 million people have been displaced by the conflict, making Sudan one of the world’s largest displacement crises. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) has ranked Sudan at the top of its global humanitarian watchlist for the third consecutive year, citing mass displacement, hunger, and limited access for aid agencies. Disease outbreaks such as cholera and dengue fever have further strained overwhelmed communities, particularly in besieged urban areas.
Diplomatic efforts to halt the fighting have so far failed to deliver lasting results. Several ceasefire attempts have collapsed, with both sides accusing each other of violations and negotiating in bad faith. The United States is considering broader sanctions against leaders from both the SAF and RSF, while Norway has announced plans to host renewed talks aimed at restoring a civilian-led political transition. Despite these efforts, there has been little progress toward a sustained ceasefire.
The prolonged war has also raised regional concerns, as neighboring countries grapple with refugee inflows and the risk of cross-border instability. Analysts warn that continued fighting in Darfur and Kordofan could further destabilize the Horn of Africa and Red Sea region.
With no clear end in sight, Sudan’s civil war remains a complex and deeply entrenched conflict. Military advances remain contested, diplomatic initiatives stalled, and civilians continue to pay the heaviest price as international agencies urge urgent action to secure a ceasefire and expand humanitarian access.
