Information related to the recent fighting
Background information
The following reports and articles explain the background of the recent fighting:
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Brief chronology of political developments since 2018
Sudan's years of political strife (Media Report, English)
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Background article on the fighting between the army and the Rapid Support Forces
Sudan fighting: The military rivalry behind the clashes in Khartoum (Media Report, English)
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Brief background article on the power struggle
Factbox: The struggle for power in Sudan (Media Report, English)
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Brief background article on the Rapid Support Forces
Factbox: Who are Sudan's Rapid Support Forces? (Media Report, English)
The most recent documents on the issue
These are the most recent documents from a search for terms related to the fighting: (You can find more, and customise your search under this search link.)
Considered synonyms: al, awami, awami, bal, bangladesh, bengalese, burhan, league, lega, liga, people's, popolare, popolare, rapid support forces
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Al-Fashir: Article on the impact of the conflict on the civilian population
Sudanese city under siege: 'My son's whole body is full of shrapnel' (Media Report, English)
- For 17 months the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have besieged el-Fasher, located in their ethnic heartland of Darfur, and now they're closing in on key military sites in the city. The conflict in Sudan broke out in 2023 following a power struggle between the top commanders of the RSF and the Sudanese army.
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Annual report on trafficking in persons (covering April 2024 to March 2025)
2025 Trafficking in Persons Report: Sudan (Periodical Report, English)
- However, since the onset of hostilities on April 15, 2023, which continued through this reporting period, both the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have employed or recruited child soldiers, including children who were compulsorily recruited. The SAF commander general remained the head of the armed forces and de facto head of state.
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Regular analysis of major developments regarding state and non-state actors regarding security in selected African countries
DRC Ceasefire Collapse; Turkish Troops to Niger; El Fasher on the Brink: Africa File, September 25, 2025 (Periodical Report, English)
- . * Sudan [https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/drc-ceasefire-collapse-turkish-troops-niger-sudan-el-fasher-rsf-siege-jnim-pressure-eastern-burkina-faso-africa-file-september-25-2025#Sudan] .The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) advanced on key positions in el Fasher, the besieged capital of North Darfur state. […] drc-ceasefire-collapse-turkish-troops-niger-sudan-el-fasher-rsf-siege-jnim-pressure-eastern-burkina-faso-africa-file-september-25-2025#_ednf604326a54f96d3c6656920c1748aa4b84] The RSF’s capture of el Fasher would give the group control over all population centers in Darfur region, consolidating a de facto partition in Sudan.The RSF established the Government of Peace and Unity in April 2025, swearing in RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo […] (Hemedti) as the head in Nyala—the capital of South Darfur state—in August. […] ednf604326a54f96d3c6656920c1748aa4bref84] https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1165340 [https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1165340] [lxxxv] [https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/drc-ceasefire-collapse-turkish-troops-niger-sudan-el-fasher-rsf-siege-jnim-pressure-eastern-burkina-faso-africa-file-september-25-2025#_ednf604326a54f96d3c6656920c1748aa4bref85] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/rsfs-hemedti-sworn-head-parallel-sudanese-government […] -2025-08-30/ [https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/rsfs-hemedti-sworn-head-parallel-sudanese-government-2025-08-30/] [lxxxvi] [https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis/drc-ceasefire-collapse-turkish-troops-niger-sudan-el-fasher-rsf-siege-jnim-pressure-eastern-burkina-faso-africa-file-september-25-2025#_ednf604326a54f96d3c6656920c1748aa4bref86] https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/sudanese-coalition-led-by-paramilitary-rsf-announces-parallel-government
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Report of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission on the impact of the conflict on the civilian population and critical infrastructure (attacks on civilians; arbitrary detention, torture and inhumane treatment; sexual and gender-based violence; attacks on food systems; other topics) [advance edited version]
Sudan: a war of atrocities; Report of the independent international fact-finding mission for the Sudan [A/HRC/60/22] (Special or Analytical Report, English)
- Rapid Support Forces and allies 34. In early October 2024, after the joint forces allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces attacked and captured a base of the Rapid Support Forces in Bir Maza, North Darfur, the Rapid Support Forces and their allies attacked Kutum locality, targeting several villages between the towns of Kutum and Anka, perceived as sympathetic to the Sudanese Armed Forces. […] He was threatened with consequences if he disclosed that he had been held by the Rapid Support Forces. 50. Guards of the Rapid Support Forces executed detainees, including seven detainees at a military base of the Rapid Support Forces in North Darfur in May 2024. […] The Rapid Support Forces carried out executions and caused deaths in detention. […] Members of the Rapid Support Forces were identified as the primary perpetrators, but members of the Sudanese Armed Forces were also implicated. While predominantly directed at women and girls, some victims were men and boys. Rapid Support Forces 59. The Rapid Support Forces used sexual violence as a deliberate tactic to humiliate and subjugate women, girls and entire communities. […] Girls were reportedly stripped at checkpoints manned by the Rapid Support Forces, under the pretext of searches. A male victim reported being forced to remain naked for three consecutive days while detained by the Rapid Support Forces in Khartoum. 62. In areas under their control, the Rapid Support Forces systematically carried out abductions for sexual exploitation purposes.
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Darfur: 78 people killed and about 20 injured in drone strike on mosque in the city of al-Fashir
Drone strike on Sudan mosque kills 78, medic tells BBC (Media Report, English)
- Friday's attack in the city of el-Fasher has been blamed on the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), but the group has not taken responsibility. The RSF and the army have been engaged in a ferocious civil war for more than two years.
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Regular analysis of major developments regarding state and non-state actors regarding security in selected African countries
SAF Gains in Central Sudan; DRC Ethnic Violence: Africa File, September 18, 2025 (Periodical Report, English)
- The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have resumed their drone strike campaign in eastern Sudan to undermine SAF governance and disrupt logistics. […] Assessments: Sudan—SAF Author: Michael DeAngelo with Liam Karr The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) captured Bara—a key town on the northern axis between Khartoum and central Sudan—from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on September 11.The SAF and affiliated militias reportedly advanced north from the North Kordofan state capital, el Obeid, and west from um Dam.[1] [https://www.criticalthreats.org/analysis […] Sudan—RSF Author: Michael DeAngelo The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) conducted drone strikes targeting critical infrastructure in Khartoum and White Nile states between September 9 and 14.
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