War Between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North have seized control of the strategic Sirkam and Bakori bases in Blue Nile state near the Ethiopian border after intense fighting with the Sudanese army. This development marks an escalation of the conflict closer to Sudan's eastern border, raising concerns about regional spillover. The army claims to have repelled attacks on Bakori, leaving control contested. The RSF also reported downing drones allegedly launched from Ethiopian territory, though independent verification is lacking.

A Sudanese airstrike targeted a market near the Sudan-Chad border, killing 12 people and injuring seven, according to Chadian security sources. Chad and the United States accused Sudanese forces of conducting attacks inside Chadian territory, escalating tensions between the two countries. Sudan denied responsibility pending an independent investigation and emphasized respect for Chad's sovereignty. The incident heightens fears of the Sudanese conflict expanding beyond its borders, complicating regional security amid ongoing clashes between Sudan's army and the Rapid Support Forces.

Sudanese anti-war groups meeting in Addis Ababa have rejected the military leader Abdel Fattah Burhan's call for a 'Sudanese-Sudanese dialogue,' labeling it as a move that legitimizes military rule and deepens divisions. They proposed an alternative peace process based on three integrated tracks: humanitarian, ceasefire, and political negotiations conducted under an independent framework. The groups called for inclusive political participation excluding the dissolved National Congress and Islamic Movement, and emphasized full Sudanese ownership of the peace process. They also urged coordination among international mediators to pressure for an end to the conflict.

Sudan's Deputy Head of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Malik Agar, stated that the government will not engage in negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) until they fully withdraw from cities and residential areas. He warned that some proposed initiatives could lead to the country's division. Agar emphasized that disarmament and security issues can only be addressed after RSF regrouping, reaffirming Sudan's commitment to unity and sovereignty. He also expressed concerns over an American initiative and accused Ethiopia of allowing RSF operations from its territory, straining bilateral relations.

Sudanese Foreign Minister Mohey Eldin Salem revealed that Ethiopia and Chad have been involved in the ongoing conflict in Sudan by facilitating the entry of mercenaries. He emphasized the government's rejection of partial solutions and negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), labeling them as criminals. Salem also criticized the international community for not designating the RSF as a terrorist group and announced that the government will soon launch a national dialogue to include various Sudanese factions in governance discussions.

The Sudanese Armed Forces announced the shooting down of an enemy FH-95 drone over Jabra Al-Sheikh in North Kordofan, a region experiencing intensified attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This incident follows a recent RSF ground assault involving over 250 combat vehicles on the same city, which the army repelled. The ongoing conflict has caused significant civilian casualties and displacement. The RSF has also claimed territorial gains in North Kordofan and Blue Nile states, escalating the war that began in April 2023.

Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudan People's Liberation Army-North (SPLA-N) announced control over the Qaisan military base in southeastern Sudan's Blue Nile region after intense clashes with the Sudanese army. The offensive began early Tuesday with the use of drones and heavy artillery. The Sudanese army has not yet commented on the development. Fighting in Qaisan has intensified since Tuesday, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF in the region.

Hamid Mohamed Hamid Khalifa, appointed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as governor of Kordofan under the so-called 'Founding Government,' announced his defection from the RSF. He urged RSF members to return to the national fold, accusing the RSF of fueling tribal, ethnic, and racial conflicts. Khalifa condemned the RSF for continuing to destroy cities and kill civilians, calling for the restoration of state institutions in Kordofan and Darfur. He described the 'Founding Government' as a political front for RSF practices and criticized its response to international appeals.

On August 11, 2026, Rapid Support Forces (RSF), supported by SPLA-North fighters, seized extensive areas of Qaisan city in Blue Nile state after a heavy assault involving drones and artillery. The Sudanese Army retains control of its military base, the 13th Infantry Brigade headquarters, with intense fighting ongoing. Both sides have employed drones extensively, causing RSF to temporarily lose some positions. The conflict has led to significant destruction and displacement of approximately 2,500 people. Accusations have emerged that RSF used South Sudanese and Ethiopian mercenaries in the attack.

On August 8, 2026, Rapid Support Forces launched attacks on multiple fronts in the Bir Saleeba area of West Darfur, Sudan. The Sudanese Armed Forces repelled these assaults amid ongoing intense clashes in the region. This escalation is part of the broader conflict between the Sudanese military and Rapid Support Forces that has persisted since April 2023, causing significant humanitarian crises, including mass displacement and widespread casualties in Darfur and surrounding areas.

On August 7, 2026, the Sudanese Army's 54th Brigade successfully shot down an RSF drone targeting defensive positions in Delinj, South Kordofan, following prior artillery shelling. Concurrently, RSF forces attacked the village of Al-Tamid south of White Nile state, resulting in five civilian deaths and multiple injuries during a raid aimed at livestock theft. The incident highlights ongoing hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF, with RSF continuing assaults on key towns and villages in the region.

The Sudanese Army has strengthened its presence in areas of North Kordofan recently retaken, maintaining aerial surveillance to prevent RSF infiltration. Concurrently, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have deployed reinforcements to the city of Al-Nahud in West Kordofan, establishing multiple checkpoints amid allegations of civilian abuses. These developments occur as both sides amass troops along frontlines, with the army pursuing a strategy of simultaneous advances across multiple fronts to decisively defeat the RSF by year-end.

Mahdi Jabal Mun, a prominent Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander in North Geneina, West Darfur, was killed during intense clashes with the joint forces allied with the Sudanese army. The fighting occurred in the areas of Hajar Marfa'in and Bir Saliba, with the joint forces claiming a battlefield victory. Jabal Mun recently led RSF operations across multiple fronts in Darfur and was recently promoted to brigadier general. The conflict in northern Geneina continues as joint forces aim to halt RSF advances toward Al-Tina in North Darfur.

Renewed fighting in Ethiopia's Tigray region has spilled over into eastern Sudan, causing cross-border shelling in refugee camps and prompting new waves of displacement. Hundreds of Ethiopians, including injured fighters, have fled into Sudan, exacerbating humanitarian and security concerns amid Sudan's ongoing internal conflict. Both Sudan and Ethiopia accuse each other of supporting armed groups hostile to the other, raising fears that the border area could become a battleground intertwining the two countries' conflicts. International calls have been made to protect refugees and address urgent humanitarian needs.

Sudanese Armed Forces Chief of Staff, General Yasser Al-Atta, pledged to eradicate the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and foreign mercenaries from Sudan by the end of the year. The army is intensifying military operations, including coordinated offensives and encirclements, to end the RSF rebellion and restore national security. Recent gains include regaining strategic areas in North and West Kordofan, while repelling RSF attacks in West Darfur. The military is also coordinating with allied armed groups to consolidate control and prepare for upcoming battles.

Musa Hilal, leader of the Mahamid tribe and head of the Sudanese Revolutionary Awakening Council, has called on tribe members inside and outside Sudan to distance themselves from the ongoing war. He urged fighters to withdraw and return to their communities to preserve social cohesion and avoid further losses. Hilal emphasized that participation in the conflict is an individual responsibility and warned against being misled by false promises. His appeal aims to neutralize the tribe amid escalating military and political polarization in Sudan's war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF.

A new group of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) fighters surrendered to the Sudanese Army in Omdurman, bringing their full equipment. The group arrived from Bara in North Kordofan, a region where the army recently gained control over four strategic areas, including Bara and Jabra Al-Sheikh, and a vital export route. Military leaders, including former RSF commander Al-Nour Al-Qabba who joined the army earlier this year, welcomed the defectors. Al-Qabba emphasized ongoing surrenders and encouraged RSF members to join the army, highlighting the lack of principles within the RSF.

A forthcoming United Nations report reveals that Boeing 727 aircraft linked to a former US military contractor have been used to transport mercenaries, weapons, and drones to Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The report details flights operating covertly between Chad and RSF logistics hubs in Darfur, supporting the RSF amid ongoing conflict. It also highlights the involvement of Colombian mercenaries aiding the RSF in military operations. These findings contribute to investigations into violations of the arms embargo on Darfur and underscore the RSF's role in the Sudanese war.

Pro-army platforms and allied joint force channels reported that the Sudanese military launched a surprise offensive on Saturday to recapture the strategic town of Um Siyala in North Kordofan, seizing several combat vehicles from the Rapid Support Forces. Soldiers shared video footage documenting their control over the area, though no official statements were immediately released by either military leadership or the RSF. Um Siyala, located roughly 200 kilometers north of El Obeid, has frequently changed hands since the conflict expanded into the Kordofan region.

On July 21, 2026, the Sudanese Armed Forces dispatched substantial military reinforcements to strategic locations in the Sahara Desert, particularly near the northern state bordering Darfur. This move aims to open a new operational front around the border triangle with Libya and Egypt, targeting supply routes used by the Rapid Support Forces to smuggle weapons and fuel from Libya. Coordination of these deployments is led by Brigadier General Bakhit Dabjo, enhancing the army's presence in key desert areas to counter RSF and allied forces.