The civil war in Sudan is entering a new phase as fighting intensifies across various fronts such as Kordofan, Darfur and Blue Nile. The military actions taken by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and counter-attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) with no peace negotiations suggests that neither side has gain decisive advantage. Instead, the conflict continues to grow with civilians bearing much of its consequences.
The latest fighting in North Kordofan is particularly significant. On 25 July, the army and allied forces launched a major offensive and recaptured Bara, Um-Sayala, Um-Garfa and other areas north of El Obeid. The army later announced that it had also taken Al Sadarat. Al Sadarat is an important point on the highway connecting Khartoum with North Kordofan. These advances could help the army reopen supply routes and prevent the RSF from tightening its grip around El Obeid.
But for people living in and around the city, these military developments bring little sense of security. The RSF responded with counter-attacks and carried out reprisals against the civilians. It also continued to maintain forces around El Obeid and launch attacks inside the city. This shows how quickly a change on the battlefield can translate into danger for ordinary people. Every territorial gain can be followed by retaliation, forcing civilians to live with uncertainty over who will control their homes tomorrow.
The situation is equally troubling in Darfur. In West Darfur, the RSF recaptured Kulbus after the army had taken it only weeks earlier, displacing thousands of people. Fighting has also continued in North Darfur while communal violence returned to South Darfur. Clashes between the Salamat and Beni Helba communities reportedly killed dozens. The fact that fighters from both communities were seen wearing RSF uniforms shows how the national conflict is becoming intertwined with local rivalries. Communities that already have their own grievances are being drawn into a much larger war.
In Blue Nile, the army recaptured Kurmuk near the Ethiopian border. Although this is an important military gain, fighting has continued around Geissan and along the route connecting the two areas. For civilians, this means that even when one side announces victory, the violence may not actually be over.
The growing use of drones is adding danger to the already escalated conflict. The battlefield is no longer limited to areas where soldiers are directly fighting. Both sides have used drones against military positions, supply routes and infrastructure. A reported RSF strike near Kosti that hit commercial trucks close to a fuel station shows how the war can reach civilian and economic spaces far from the main frontlines. As drone attacks expand, places that once seemed relatively removed from the fighting can also become targets.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts remain stagnant. The army reportedly accepted much of a U.S. peace proposal. But it demanded that the RSF withdraw from occupied cities before a ceasefire. The RSF expressed general support for negotiations continuing military operations simultaneously. Civilian groups have also been holding separate meetings ahead of a new dialogue process supported by the African Union, IGAD, Arab League, European Union and United Nations.
The greatest concern is that Sudan’s war is becoming harder to separate into clear military and civilian spaces. Frontlines shift, communities are armed, drones reach distant targets and displacement continues. The longer this continues, the more difficult reconciliation will become.
Sudan does not simply need another military victory. It needs a political process capable of bringing the fighting to an end and giving civilians a voice in what comes next.
