Sudanese civil war (2023–present)

2023 Sudan conflict
Part of the Sudanese transition to democracy
Military situation as of 19 August 2024    Controlled by the Sudanese Armed Forces    Controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (For a more detailed map of the current military situation, see here)
Date 15 April 2023 – present (2023-04-15 – present) (1 year, 4 months and 4 days) Location Khartoum, Darfur region and other strategic areas in Sudan Status Ongoing Mass evacuation of foreign citizens from Sudan Territorial changes Rapid Support Forces occupy parts of the capital Khartoum and Darfur region, including Khartoum International Airport, Nyala, Kabkabiya, Ed Daein, and Geneina Disputed control of key government sites
Belligerents
Rapid Support Forces Supported by: Libyan National Army	Sudanese Armed Forces Supported by: Egypt
Commanders and leaders
Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo	Abdel Fattah al-Burhan
Strength
70,000–150,000	110,000–120,000
Casualties and losses
	200 Egyptian servicemen captured
At least 559 killed and 4,000 injured

An armed conflict between rival factions of the military government of Sudan began on 15 April 2023. It started when clashes broke out in western Sudan, in the capital city of Khartoum, and in the Darfur region. As of 25 April, at least 559 people have been killed and more than 4,000 others had been injured.

The fighting began with attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on key government sites. Airstrikes, artillery, and gunfire were reported across Sudan including in Khartoum. As of 23 April 2023, both the RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo and Sudan's de facto leader and army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan claimed control of several key government sites, including the general military headquarters, the Presidential Palace, Khartoum International Airport, Burhan's official residence, and the SNBC headquarters. The conflict between the two generals has led Sudan to the brink of renewed civil war, and it has been referred to as a "burgeoning civil war".

Background

Main article: History of Sudan

The history of conflicts in Sudan has consisted of foreign invasions and resistance, ethnic tensions, religious disputes, and competition over resources. In its modern history, two civil wars between the central government and the southern regions killed 1.5 million people, and a continuing conflict in the western region of Darfur has displaced two million people and killed more than 200,000 people. Since independence in 1956, Sudan has had more than fifteen military coups and it has also been ruled by the military for the majority of the republic's existence, with only brief periods of democratic civilian parliamentary rule.

Political context

Main article: Sudanese transition to democracy

Former president and military strongman Omar al-Bashir presided over the War in Darfur, a region in the west of the country, and oversaw state-sponsored violence in the region of Darfur, leading to charges of war crimes and genocide. Approximately 300,000 people were killed and 2.7 million forcibly displaced in the early part of the Darfur conflict; the intensity of the violence later declined. Key figures in the Darfur conflict included Mohamed Hamdan "Hemedti" Dagalo, a warlord who commanded the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which evolved from the janjaweed, a collection of Arab militias drawn from camel-trading tribes active in Darfur and portions of Chad.

Al-Bashir relied upon the janjaweed and RSF to crush uprisings by ethnic Africans in the Nuba Mountains and Darfur. The RSF perpetrated mass killings, mass rapes, pillage, torture, and destruction of villages and were accused of committing ethnic cleansing against the Fur, Masalit, and Zaghawa. Key leaders in the RSF have been indicted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity, although Hemedti was not personally implicated in the 2003–2004 atrocities. Bashir formalized the militias in 2013, creating the RSF as a paramilitary organization and giving its commanders formal military ranks; Hemedti was given the rank of lieutenant general. In 2017, a new Sudanese law gave the RSF the status of an "independent security force". Under the patronage of al-Bashir, Hemedti became wealthy and powerful, acquiring gold mines in Darfur. Bashir sent RSF forces to quash a 2013 uprising in South Darfur and also deployed RSF units to fight in Yemen and Libya. During this time, the RSF also developed a working relationship with the Russian private military outfit Wagner Group. These developments ensured that RSF forces grew into the tens of thousands, including thousands of armed pickup trucks, which regularly patrolled the streets of Khartoum. The Bashir regime allowed the RSF and other armed groups to proliferate to prevent threats to its security from within the armed forces, a practice known as "coup-proofing".

In December 2018, protests against al-Bashir's regime began, the first phase of the Sudanese Revolution. Eight months of sustained civil disobedience were met with violent repression. In April 2019, the military (including the RSF) ousted al-Bashir in a coup d'état, ending his three decades of rule; the army established a Transitional Military Council, a junta. Bashir was imprisoned in Khartoum; he was not turned over to the ICC, which had issued warrants for al-Bashir's arrest on charges of war crimes. Protests calling for civilian rule continued; in June 2019, the RSF perpetrated the Khartoum massacre, in which more than a hundred demonstrators were slain and dozens were raped. Hemedti denied orchestrating the attack.

In August 2019, after international pressure and mediation by the African Union and Ethiopia, the military agreed to share power in an interim joint civilian-military unity government (the Transitional Sovereignty Council), headed by a civilian Prime Minister, Abdalla Hamdok, with elections to take place in 2023. However, in October 2021, the military seized power in a coup led by Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) leader Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and RSF leader Dagalo. The Transitional Sovereignty Council was reconstituted as a military junta led by Al-Burhan, monopolizing power and halting Sudan's brief transition to democracy.

Tensions between the RSF and the Sudanese junta began to escalate in February 2023, as the RSF began to recruit members from across Sudan. A brief military buildup in Khartoum was succeeded by an agreement for de-escalation, with the RSF withdrawing its forces from the Khartoum area. The junta later agreed to hand over authority to a civilian-led government, but it was delayed due to renewed tensions between generals Burhan and Dagalo, who serve as chairman and deputy chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, respectively. Chief among their political disputes is the integration of the RSF into the military: the RSF insisted on a ten-year timetable for its integration into the regular army, while the army demanded integration within two years. Other contested issues included the status given to RSF officers in the future hierarchy, and whether RSF forces should be under the command of the army chief – rather than Sudan's commander-in-chief – who is currently al-Burhan. They have also clashed over authority over sectors of Sudan's economy that are controlled by the two factions. As a sign of their rift, Dagalo expressed regret over the October 2021 coup.

Prelude

On 11 April 2023, RSF forces deployed near the city of Merowe and in Khartoum. Government forces ordered them to leave, but they refused. This led to clashes when RSF forces took control of the Soba military base south of Khartoum. On 13 April, RSF forces began their mobilization, raising fears of a potential rebellion against the junta. The SAF declared the mobilization illegal.

Timeline

Main article: Timeline of the 2023 Sudan conflict

April 2023

15 April

Khartoum

See also: Battle of Khartoum (2023)

On 15 April 2023, the RSF launched an attack on multiple SAF bases across the country, including in the capital Khartoum. At 12:00 (CAT), RSF forces claimed to have captured Khartoum International Airport, Merowe Airport, El Obeid Airport as well as a base in Soba. Clashes between the RSF and the SAF erupted at the Presidential Palace and at the residence of General al-Burhan, with both sides claiming control over the two sites.

In response, the SAF announced the closure of all airports in the country. and the Sudanese Air Force conducted airstrikes on RSF positions in Khartoum with artillery fire being heard in parts of the city.

Elsewhere in Khartoum clashes were reported at the headquarters of the state broadcaster Sudan TV. The channel halted a news bulletin after the presenter began reading an item about the situation in Khartoum with gunshots being heard in the background and switched the programming to music. Eyewitnesses and Al Arabiya later reported that the TV station was captured by RSF forces. Bridges and roads in Khartoum were closed and checkpoints set up. The RSF claimed that all roads heading south of Khartoum have been closed.

At Khartoum International Airport, multiple aircraft belonging to Saudia, Badr Airlines, and SkyUp Airlines among others were reported to be damaged according to Flightradar24. Saudia later confirmed that one of its aircraft, an Airbus, came under fire before take-off at the airport and that it had evacuated all passengers, crew and staff to the Saudi embassy. It, along with EgyptAir and Qatar Airways also suspended all flights to and from Sudan.

Darfur

Main article: Darfur campaign

Clashes erupted in the capital of North Darfur state, Al-Fashir, while Nyala Airport in South Darfur was shelled. In Al-Fashir, clashes were ongoing using light and heavy weapons with RSF forces trying to capture the airport and other buildings. RSF forces claimed to have captured the airport, and the Signal Corps and Medical Corps headquarters in Al-Fashir. Clashes erupted in Zalingei in Central Darfur.

Elsewhere

Later in the day, the SAF claimed that RSF forces in White Nile, Gedaref, Kassala, Nyala, Port Sudan, Kadugli, Damazin and Kosti had surrendered and that the RSF camps of Taiba and Soba had been destroyed.

16 April

SAF

The Khartoum State Security Committee declared a public holiday in the city "in order to preserve lives of citizens and their property". At around 13:30 (CAT), the SAF announced the rescue of a major general and a brigadier, the arrests of multiple RSF officers at Merowe Airport and the taking of the airport itself, while also claiming that multiple RSF leaders had deserted or surrendered to SAF. SAF officials also claimed that RSF members had fled Merowe Airport with Egyptian soldiers being taken as prisoners.

The Sudan Civil Aviation Authority announced the closure of the country's airspace as well as that of parts of South Sudan that it also manages due to ‘security reasons.’ Telecommunications provider MTN shut down internet services across the country after orders from the Sudanese telecommunications regulator were given. Sudan TV also completely halted its broadcasts, and a local news website reported that clashes had taken place within the headquarters of the station and that its control room "was bombed". Reuters cited staff as saying that the authorities had cut transmissions to prevent broadcasting by RSF forces. Attacks were also reported at facilities of Sudan Railways.

The Chadian Army stopped and disarmed a contingent of 320 Sudanese soldiers who had entered the country from Darfur while fleeing the RSF.

RSF

An RSF advisor said that they tactically withdrew from the Karari camp in Omdurman while also claiming that 90% of Khartoum is under RSF control. Sources from Al Jazeera indicated that at around 18:00 (CAT), RSF forces took control over the Blue Nile TV network. In Nyala, the RSF claimed control of the SAF's 16th Infantry Division at around 18:30 (CAT), according to residents RSF forces captured the city's airport after capturing a military base in the previous day.

17 April

Clashes resumed in Khartoum with artillery being heard from the northern and southern parts of the capital as fighting went on in front of the gates of the army headquarters. Fighting was ongoing in Omdurman, with use of fighter jets by the military and anti-aircraft missiles by the RSF. Fighting took place west of Merowe airport.

A US diplomatic convoy was fired upon in Darfur and managed to escape unharmed. Preliminary reports linked the assailants to the RSF.

SAF

The SAF claimed control of the headquarters of Sudan TV and state radio in Khartoum, and Sudan TV resumed its broadcasting with pro-army songs and anthems. The RSF released a video on their Twitter page, purportedly filmed in front of Sudan TV compound's gates, and disputed its control.

RSF

At 10:00 (CAT), the RSF claimed to be in full control of Merowe Airport.

18 April

As a ceasefire was announced to begin later in the day, fighting continued in Khartoum with fighter jets flying across the capital, launching attacks against what appeared to be RSF targets. The RSF used anti-aircraft defense systems and heavy artillery to repel the attacks. Reporters said that armed personnel had entered several hospitals in Khartoum. Medical facilities have also reported a shortage of medical personnel, electricity and water. Al Jazeera reported that confrontations appear to have stopped in south Khartoum, and fighting was ongoing in the center of the capital near the presidential palace and the army headquarters. The RSF was reported to have looted some residential areas of the capital, with residents of the Khartoum 2 area telling the BBC that the RSF had been going house-to-house demanding water and food. After the ceasefire came into effect at 18:00 local time, gunfire and shelling continued to be heard in Khartoum. Two rockets struck the Yunus Emre Institute in Khartoum, without causing any casualties.

At Merowe, eyewitnesses reported seeing an RSF column heading away from the perimeter of its airport to al-Multaqa, 100 km (62 miles) to the south, following air strikes by the military the previous day.

19 April

Battles continued in Khartoum near the army headquarters, the presidential palace, and the airport, with heavy weaponry being used. The SAF said that it was attacked by the RSF at its general command headquarters but had repelled the attack, inflicting "heavy losses" on the RSF, who were reported to have abandoned 24 land cruisers, and calling on them to surrender, promising pardons to members who would do so. It also admitted that the RSF managed to seize a number of government buildings such as the Ministry of the Council of Ministers, the Ministry of the Interior and the Civil Registry Department. Observers determined that the SAF was controlling access to Khartoum and trying to cut off supply routes to RSF fighters. Witnesses said the SAF reinforcements were brought in from near the eastern border with Ethiopia.

The SAF accused the RSF of assaulting civilians in Khartoum and other parts of the country, carrying out acts of looting and burning at a market in Khartoum Bahri and going on a rampage, looting and assaulting people in Merowe.

As another ceasefire was announced to begin at 18:00 local time, fighting was reported to have mostly subsided around Khartoum Airport but continued to be intense around the Presidential Palace, Army Headquarters and in the Jabra neighborhood of west Khartoum, where homes belonging to RSF leader Dagalo and his family were located. Fighting was reported to have continued several minutes into the start of the ceasefire. Dagalo was reportedly seen commanding operations from the Hai al-Matar neighborhood, close to the military headquarters. The RSF accused the SAF of using heavy artillery against homes in Jabra, breaching international law. A huge fire broke out in the Khartoum 2 area after an attack at a weapons store.

In Merowe, an Al Jazeera correspondent said that the SAF had regained full control over the airport, which had been totally destroyed in the fighting, and that the situation was returning to normal although the presence of military vehicles was still noted. The RSF claimed that it still maintained a presence in the city.

20 April

The RSF said that it repelled a SAF attack on its positions in Omdurman in the morning despite the ongoing ceasefire, shooting down two helicopters in the process. RSF forces approaching Khartoum were blocked by SAF air and land forces. Al Jazeera reported that clashes continued near the army headquarters and the presidential palace. Explosions were also reported in El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state.

21 April

The day marked Eid al-Fitr with calls for a ceasefire to allow for celebrations. Despite the SAF's Burhan calling for unity and the RSF's Dagalo saying it would abide by a ceasefire, to which the SAF later agreed, fighting continued for the seventh day. Heavy shelling and gunfire was reported in Khartoum, Khartoum Bahri and Omdurman as the RSF accused the SAF of staging a "sweeping attack". The SAF replied that it was "combing" the streets of Khartoum for the RSF, using soldiers on foot. Fighting was described as particularly intense along the highway going to Port Sudan and in the industrial zone of al-Bagair. Fighting was also recorded in El-Obeid. Al-Arabiya TV reported that the SAF had established full control over Merowe.

22 April

Heavy fighting continued in Khartoum, particularly around the Presidential Palace and the airport. Fighting also spread along the main road leading south-east out of the capital.

23 April

A near-total Internet outage was reported across Sudan, with cybersecurity watchdog organization NetBlocks saying that Internet connectivity was at only 2 percent of usual levels. It suggested electricity shortages caused by attacks on the electric grid was the cause.

The RSF claimed that they captured a military manufacturing facility in the neighborhood of Masoudiya in southeast Khartoum as well as another facility in Khartoum Bahri. It also said one of its convoys assisting the evacuation of French nationals was attacked in Omdurman by a military jet, which it claimed to have shot down. The SAF said the RSF tried to seize the El Jeili refinery north of Khartoum.

Kobar jailbreak

A mass jailbreak was reported at the Kobar Prison in Khartoum after it was broken into by armed men. A military official said it repelled an RSF attack on the prison saying a few other prisoners were killed or injured while high-profile inmates such as former President Omar al-Bashir were safely secured inside. However, the SAF later said that Bashir had been transferred to the Aliyaa military hospital prior to the fighting. The interior ministry said that the jailbreak at Kobar was part of a series of attacks on five prisons by the RSF from 21 to 24 April. It said that the RSF raid on Kobar led to the deaths of two prison officials and the release of all detainees. The total number of escapees from the attacks was estimated to be at about 25,000.

Former interior minister Ahmad Harun, who is wanted by the International Criminal Court for war crimes in Darfur and was imprisoned after Bashir's ouster in 2019, said that he and other former officials of the Bashir regime had escaped during the attack with the help of prison guards and the armed forces. He also voiced his support for the SAF in the conflict. The SAF denied any involvement, saying it did not have jurisdiction over the prison system.

24 April

The SAF accused the RSF of sabotaging the telecom exchange in Khartoum, leading to a nationwide loss of internet service and reduced connectivity in Chad, whose internet infrastructure is interconnected with Sudan. It is suspected that the RSF attacked telecommunications infrastructure to prevent the SAF from broadcasting programs of Sudan TV over the Internet. Al-Arabiya reported that clashes had commenced in Geneina. Seven people were reportedly killed in an air strike on a residential area in the Kalakla neighborhood of south Khartoum. A 72-hour ceasefire was agreed between both sides that was set to start from midnight. The RSF said that the aim of the ceasefire was to "establish humanitarian corridors, allowing citizens and residents to access essential resources, healthcare, and safe zones, while also evacuating diplomatic missions".

25 April

See also: National Public Health Laboratory crisis

Despite the ceasefire, heavy artillery fire was reported in Omdurman, where a dozen people were injured after a hospital was hit, while fighting continued in Khartoum and in Geneina, West Darfur, according to local sources. The RSF was reported to have taken the town of Wad Banda in West Kordofan state. Gunfire was reported at Port Sudan Prison as the SAF accused the RSF of attacking jails. Internet access was partially restored in Khartoum after the state provider Sudatel was reconnected following attacks on its facilities.

The World Health Organization expressed alarm over potential biological hazards after one of the warring sides, whom it did not identify, seized control of the National Public Health Laboratory containing measles, polio and cholera pathogens, among other hazardous substances, and expelled the facility's technicians.

Container shipping company AP Moller-Maersk announced it would stop taking new bookings of goods for Sudan.

26 April

The RSF posted a video in which it claimed to be in control of the Garri oil refinery and power plant more than 70 kilometres (43 miles) north of Khartoum as fighting continued around the capital and more clashes were reported in West Kordofan and in West Darfur. A mob stormed the state headquarters of police in Geneina, West Darfur and seized weapons amid fears of intercommunal fighting. Intercommunal clashes were reported in Blue Nile State.

27 April

Despite the ongoing ceasefire, the SAF launched air strikes on RSF positions around the Presidential Palace and in Khartoum Bahri. Fighting also continued in Geneina. The RSF accused the SAF of attacking its base in the Kafuri area of Khartoum Bahri. Despite this, the ceasefire was later extended for an additional 72 hours.

Observers reported that that the RSF was committing abuses against the civilian population in Darfur, particularly in Nyala and Geneina, such as arson, theft, looting, destruction of property and killing. RSF soldiers were filmed outside Geneina's police headquarters., while the Deputy Police Director of West Darfur, Brigadier General Abdel-Baqi Al-Hassan Mohamed, was reportedly shot and killed.

28 April

Despite the extension of the ceasefire, fighting continued in Khartoum, Khartoum Bahri and Omdurman.

A Turkish evacuation plane was fired upon at Wadi Seidna Airbase and required repair after it sustained damage to its fuel system. There were no casualties reported. The SAF blamed the RSF for the attack, which it denied. The RSF also claimed the capture of the SAF-controlled Hattab Operational Base in Khartoum, as well as 3 tanks and 9 cars within the base. Intercommunal violence between Arabs and Masalit communities was reported in West Darfur.

29 April

Heavy fighting continued in Khartoum and other conflict areas as Gen. Dagalo said insisted he would not negotiate with the SAF until the fighting stops and reiterated his accusations against the SAF donning RSF uniforms to blame them for atrocities committed during the conflict. Meanwhile, trenches were reported to have been set up in Khartoum by both sides as street-by-street fighting continued.

30 April

The SAF announced it was launching an all-out attack to flush out the RSF in Khartoum using air strikes and heavy artillery. Drone strikes were reported at RSF positions near a major oil refinery, while video emerged showing a building of the Central Bank of Sudan on fire following heavy fighting. The Sudanese police announced it had deployed its Central Reserve Forces in the streets of Khartoum to maintain law and order. The unit, which had been sanctioned by the US government for its role in suppressing prodemocracy protests after the 2021 coup, had been warned by the RSF not to intervene in the conflict. The unit later said that it had arrested 316 "rebels", referring to the RSF.

Local authorities in Khartoum placed civil servants on open-ended leave.

May 2023

1 May

The SAF said it had reduced the RSF’s combat capabilities to 55% and thwarted several RSF advances around the country, including offensives from the western regions, along the northwestern border and a third heading from el-Baghir to Jabal Awliya. Air strikes were reported in Omdurman, while fighting continued around the Presidential Palace and in Khartoum Bahri. Clashes were reported to have spread to the neighborhood of al-Jerif.

2 May

The RSF claimed to have shot down a MiG fighter jet during air strikes by the SAF over Khartoum.

3 May

Fighting continued in Khartoum, Omdurman and Khartoum Bahri. The UN's head of emergency relief Martin Griffiths arrived in Port Sudan to inspect aid operations.

Casualties

As of 25 April, at least 559 people had been killed and more than 4,000 others had been injured, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) and Sudan's Federal Health Ministry. The Sudan Doctors Syndicate said at least 436 civilians had been killed and 2,175 others injured. The United Nations Children's Fund said that at least nine children had been killed and 50 others had been injured in the fighting. Doctors on the ground warned that stated figures do not include all casualties as many people could not reach hospitals due to difficulties in movement. A spokesperson for the Sudanese Red Crescent was also quoted as saying that the number of casualties "was not small".

By location

During initial clashes in El-Obeid and Khartoum at least three civilians were killed and dozens injured. A statement by the Sudan Doctors' Committee said two civilians were killed at Khartoum airport and another man was shot to death in the state of North Kordofan. Those killed at the airport were believed to be on board a passenger plane that was hit by a shell. Many bodies were seen lying on the streets of Khartoum, particularly around the defence ministry and airport, but could not be retrieved given the intensity of the fighting. A student was shot and killed at the University of Khartoum. A 6-year-old child died after the RSF shelled a hospital while an ambulance driver was reported to be among those injured.

At least twenty five civilians were killed and 26 injured during clashes in North Darfur, and an additional three civilians were killed by a rocket-propelled grenade, with a woman also being injured by a bullet. A representative of Médecins Sans Frontières said at least 279 wounded people were admitted to the only functioning hospital in the state capital al-Fashir, of whom 44 died. In Foro Baranga in West Darfur, tens were reportedly killed and hundreds injured. In Nyala, in South Darfur, 8 civilians were killed during the ongoing clashes. Nearly 200 people died in ethnic clashes in Geneina, West Darfur.

Foreign casualties

Eleven Syrian citizens were killed across the country. An Indian national working in Khartoum died after being hit by a stray bullet on 15 April. Two Americans were also killed, including a professor working in the University of Khartoum who was stabbed to death while evacuating. A two-year-old girl from Turkey was killed while her parents were injured after their house was struck by a rocket on 18 April. The SAF claimed that the Egyptian assistant military attaché was killed by RSF fire while driving his car in Khartoum, which was refuted by the Egyptian ambassador.

Two Greek nationals who were trapped in a church on 15 April suffered leg injuries in a crossfire when they tried to leave. A Filipino migrant worker and an Indonesian student at a school in Khartoum were injured by stray bullets. On 17 April, the European Union Ambassador to Sudan, Aidan O'Hara of Ireland, was assaulted by unidentified "armed men wearing military fatigues" in his home and suffered minor injuries but was able to resume working on 19 April. On 23 April a French evacuation convoy was shot at, leaving one injured. The French government later confirmed the casualty to be one of its soldiers. An employee of the Egyptian embassy was shot and injured during an evacuation mission.

Casualties among humanitarian workers

In Kabkabiya, three employees of the World Food Programme (WFP) were killed after being caught in the crossfire at a military base. Two other staff members were seriously injured. On 18 April, the EU's top humanitarian aid officer in Sudan, Wim Fransen of Belgium, was shot in Khartoum and suffered serious injuries. On 21 April, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that one of its local employees was killed in a crossfire while travelling with his family near El-Obeid.

Foreign involvement

Libya

On 18 April, a SAF general claimed that two unnamed neighboring countries were trying to provide aid to the RSF. According to The Wall Street Journal, Libyan warlord Khalifa Haftar, who is backed by the United Arab Emirates and the Russian paramilitary Wagner Group, dispatched at least one plane to fly military supplies to the RSF. The Observer reported that Haftar assisted in preparing the RSF for months before the conflict broke out. The Libyan National Army, which is commanded by Haftar, denied providing support to any warring groups in Sudan and said it was ready to play a mediating role.

Wagner Group

Prior to the conflict, the UAE and the Wagner Group have been involved in business deals with the RSF. According to CNN, Wagner supplied surface-to-air missiles to the RSF, picking up the items from Syria and delivering some of them by plane to Haftar-controlled bases in Libya to be then delivered to the RSF, while dropping other items directly to RSF positions in northwestern Sudan. American officials also said that Wagner was offering to supply additional weapons to RSF from its existing stocks in the Central African Republic. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov defended the possible involvement of the Wagner Group, saying that Sudan had the right to use its services. The head of the Wagner Group, Yevgeny Prigozhin, denied supporting the RSF, saying that the company has not had a presence in Sudan for more than two years. In addition, the RSF denied allegations that Wagner Group was supporting them, instead stating that the SAF was seeking such support. Sudan's army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, stated that "So far, there has been no confirmation about the Wagner Group's support for the RSF."

Egypt

On 16 April, the RSF claimed that its troops in Port Sudan had been attacked by foreign aircraft and issued a warning against any foreign interference. According to former CIA analyst Cameron Hudson, Egyptian fighter jets are a part of these bombing campaigns against the RSF, and Egyptian special forces units have been deployed and are providing intelligence and tactical support to SAF. The Wall Street Journal said that Egypt had sent fighter jets and pilots to support the Sudanese military. On 17 April, satellite imagery obtained by The War Zone revealed that one Egyptian Air Force MiG-29M2 fighter jet had been destroyed and two others had been heavily damaged or destroyed at Merowe Airbase. A Sudanese Air Force Guizhou JL-9 was among the destroyed aircraft. After initial confusion, the RSF accepted the explanation that Egyptian equipment and supporting personnel were conducting exercises with the Sudanese military prior to the outbreak of hostilities.

Egyptian POWs

On 15 April, RSF forces claimed, via Twitter, to have taken several Egyptian troops prisoner near Merowe, as well as a military plane carrying markings of the Egyptian Air Force. Initially, no official explanation was given for the Egyptian soldiers' presence, while Egypt and Sudan have had military cooperation due to diplomatic tensions with Ethiopia. Later on, the Egyptian Armed Forces stated that around 200 of its soldiers were in Sudan to conduct exercises with the Sudanese military. Around that time, the SAF reportedly encircled RSF forces in Merowe airbase. As a result, the Egyptian Armed Forces announced that it was following the situation as a precaution for the safety of its personnel. The RSF later stated that it would cooperate in repatriating the soldiers to Egypt. On 19 April, the RSF stated that it had moved the soldiers to Khartoum and would hand them over when the "appropriate opportunity" arose. 177 of the captured Egyptian troops were released and flown back to Egypt aboard three Egyptian military planes that took off from Khartoum airport later in the day. The remaining 27 soldiers, who were from the Egyptian Air Force, were sheltered at the Egyptian embassy to be evacuated once the situation improved.

Ethiopia

On 19 April, the Sudanese newspaper Al-Sudani reported that the SAF had repelled an invasion by the Ethiopian Armed Forces in the disputed Al Fushqa District. The report alleged that the Ethiopian Army had carried out an attack with tanks, armored vehicles, and infantry and that the SAF had inflicted heavy losses on Ethiopian personnel and equipment. It said that the SAF was monitoring "unusual activity among the Ethiopian forces" since the start of hostilities with the RSF and that Ethiopian forces were carrying out intensive reconnaissance and surveillance operations along the border. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed denied that clashes had occurred, blaming agitators for the reports.

Evacuation of foreign nationals

Main article: Evacuation of foreign nationals during the 2023 Sudan conflict

The outbreak of violence has led foreign governments to monitor the situation in Sudan and move towards the evacuation and repatriation of its nationals. Among some countries with a number of expatriates in Sudan are Egypt, which has more than 10,000 citizens in the country, and the United States, which has more than 16,000 citizens, most of whom are dual nationals. Efforts at extraction were hampered by the fighting within the capital Khartoum, particularly in and around the airport. This has forced evacuations to be undertaken by road via Port Sudan on the Red Sea, which lies about 650 km (400 miles) northeast of Khartoum. from where they were airlifted or ferried directly to their home countries or to third ones. Other evacuations were undertaken through overland border crossings or airlifts from diplomatic missions and other designated locations with direct involvement of the militaries of some home countries. Some major transit hubs used during the evacuation include the port of Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Djibouti, which hosts military bases of the United States, China, Japan, France, and other European countries.

Humanitarian impact

The humanitarian crisis following the fighting was further exacerbated by the violence occurring during a period of high temperatures, drought and it being the latter part of the fasting month of Ramadan. Most residents were unable to venture outside of their homes to obtain food and supplies for fear of getting caught in the crossfire. A doctors' group said that hospitals remained understaffed and were running low on supplies as wounded people streamed in. The World Health Organization recorded around 26 attacks on healthcare facilities, some of which resulted in casualties among medical workers and civilians. The Sudanese Doctors' Union said more than two-thirds of hospitals in conflict areas were out of service with 32 forcibly evacuated by soldiers or caught in the crossfire. The United Nations reported that shortages of basic goods, such as food, water, medicines and fuel have become "extremely acute". The delivery of badly-needed remittances from overseas migrant workers was also halted after Western Union announced it was closing all operations in Sudan until further notice.

Refugees

Main article: 2023 Sudanese refugee crisis

The United Nations said on 2 May that the fighting in Sudan had produced around 334,000 internally displaced persons, while more than 100,000 had fled the country altogether. The International Organization for Migration estimated that around 70% of IDPs came from the Darfur region. The UN projected that the total number of refugees fleeing Sudan could reach more than 800,000 people.

IDPs

Thousands of residents fled Khartoum by foot or by vehicle to safer parts of the country. Some of them faced difficulties such as the presence of roadblocks and robberies along the roads. The Norwegian Refugee Council said that there were about 300 refugees from Khartoum who had fled southeast to El-Gadarif. 3,000 refugees from Khartoum fled to Tunaydbah refugee camp, which already hosts 28,000 Ethiopian refugees, in eastern Sudan, while at least 20,000 fled to Wad Madani. Up to 30,000 people, mainly South Sudanese refugees, moved south from Khartoum to White Nile State, which borders South Sudan. Up to 37,000 people were thought to have been displaced across Nyala, the capital of South Darfur.

Other countries

Chad said that it was receiving and sheltering thousands of refugees who had crossed across its border. The UN Refugee Agency estimated that up to 20,000 people had fled to Chad. The fighting in Sudan also resulted in the flow of goods to Chad being interrupted, leading to rising costs.

South Sudanese authorities said 10,000 refugees had entered the country, three-quarters of whom were South Sudanese who had previously fled north to escape internal conflicts and the rest consisting of Sudanese and other African nationals. The United Nations said that it was expecting a combined total of up to 270,000 refugees to cross into South Sudan and Chad.

Egypt said that 16,000 people, 14,000 of whom were Sudanese, had entered the country from Sudan, with around 10,000 more waiting to cross from the Sudanese side of their common border. Two camps operated by the Red Crescent were set up to provide aid to refugees.

More than 3,500 people fled to Ethiopia, including 1,400 Turkish nationals. The number of refugees increased to 6,000 by 1 May. 700 people fled to the Central African Republic, according to the International Medical Corps. About 3,000 people were evacuated to Djibouti.

Controversies

Criticism was levelled at diplomatic missions operating in Sudan for their slow response in helping Sudanese visa applicants whose passports were left behind in embassies following their closure during evacuation efforts, preventing them from leaving the country.

Khartoum

The fighting in Khartoum left some of its five million residents stranded in their homes without electricity or water for days. On 17 April, the Sudan Medical Association said that bombs struck al-Shaab Hospital and al-Khartoum Hospital, forcing both hospitals to stop the services of their emergency departments. The Sudan Doctors' Union said that 52 hospitals went out of service in the capital and adjacent areas, equating to about 70% of hospitals in the region. Nine hospitals were bombed, and 19 were subject to forced evacuation, while five ambulances had been attacked by military forces. The union later told the BBC that only five hospitals were functioning in Khartoum, all of which were facing exhausted staff and major shortages of oxygen and life-saving drugs. Other hospitals were taken over by the warring parties either to shelter their fighters or for other military purposes. The Sudanese government accused the RSF of seizing 12 hospitals. At least five ambulance crews were attacked while on duty. The association described the attacks as a clear violation of international humanitarian law and called on the international community to help. The World Health Organization (WHO) said that the warring sides seized ambulances. The vice president of the Sudan Doctors' Trade Union told Al Jazeera that doctors and other healthcare personnel were finding it very difficult to reach hospitals because the major bridges on the Nile were blockaded.

Residents were asked to limit their electricity usage as the state's distribution authority said the servers that manage online purchases of power were out of service and engineers could not reach them because it was too dangerous. Two water plants were reportedly damaged in the fighting, forcing residents to collect water directly from the Nile River instead. A grassroots movement using the hashtag #NoToWar offered people food, medication and information about safety routes to escape the city.

The Sudan Animal Rescue Centre, whose sanctuary is located southeast of the capital near a military base that saw heavy fighting, warned that the situation at its facility was "critical", with no permanent staff to take care of its 25 lions and other animals, shortages of food and no electricity to power electric barriers for its enclosures.

On 19 April, the RSF announced that it had set up a call center in areas it controlled in Khartoum to receive distress calls from residents.

On 28 April, Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights accused the RSF of evicting people from their residences during the fighting in Khartoum.

Archaeologists, artists, museum workers and heritage advocates also raised concern over the status of the National Museum of Sudan, which was the scene of heavy fighting between the SAF and the RSF. There was no definite update on the condition of the museum or its collection since the fighting began. The RSF was also accused of harassing pro-democracy artists during the conflict.

Darfur

The governor of North Darfur called the humanitarian situation in the region dire. The Project Coordinator for Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in the state's capital El-Fasher said that the only remaining hospital in North Darfur was "rapidly running out of medical supplies to treat survivors" while other hospitals have had to close due to their proximity to the fighting or the inability of staff to get to the facilities because of the violence. MSF said that its compound in Nyala, South Darfur, had been raided by armed men who "stole everything including vehicles and office equipment". Save the Children said that the charity's compound in Darfur was looted by armed men, saying staff were not hurt but medical supplies were taken, as well as food and laptops. Islamic Relief's office in Central Darfur was looted by armed men, and cars were stolen. The World Food Programme reported the deaths of three of its employees and the looting of its facilities and vehicles during clashes at Kabkabiya, North Darfur. United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said that they were "receiving reports of attacks and sexual violence against aid workers", adding that the UN aid office in South Darfur was looted on 17 April. A car carrying employees of the Norwegian Refugee Council was attacked in El-Fasher on 20 April but there were no injuries. A hospital supported by MSF in Geneina was looted during fighting on 26-28 April.

Effects on relief organizations

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said it is nearly impossible to provide humanitarian services around Khartoum, and warned that Sudan's health system is at risk of collapse. The World Food Programme (WFP) confirmed that one of its aircraft had been damaged at Khartoum International Airport during an exchange of gunfire on 15 April, which it says impacted its ability to move staff and provide assistance to people across the country.

An internal UN document seen by CNN stated that armed personnel, reportedly from the RSF, stormed the homes of people working for the UN and other international organizations in downtown Khartoum, sexually assaulting women and stealing belongings including cars. One incident of rape was reported. Two Nigerian men working for an international organization were abducted and later released; a building housing the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs was targeted; and a rocket-propelled grenade hit the home of a local UN staff member in Khartoum. The RSF denied the claims, blaming the Sudanese military for committing the crimes while wearing RSF uniforms. In turn, the SAF denied involvement and blamed the RSF. The United Nations said that the fighting had "totally shut down" its work in Sudan and affected one-third of the country's population.

Due to attacks against their staff and facilities, Save the Children, WFP, Islamic Relief and the Danish Refugee Council suspended their operations in Sudan. Fifty-seven Sudanese aid workers and 20 Indian workers were relocated from Sudan to Chad.

On 30 April, the Red Cross sent its first aid delivery to Sudan by air since the conflict began, ferrying eight tonnes of humanitarian cargo from Amman, Jordan to Port Sudan. The World Food Programme resumed operations on 1 May.

Peace efforts

On 16 April, representatives from the SAF and the RSF agreed to a proposal by the United Nations to pause fighting between 16:00 and 19:00 local time (CAT). The SAF announced that it approved a UN proposal to open a safe passage for urgent humanitarian cases for three hours every day starting from 16:00 local time, and stated that it reserved the right to react if the RSF "commit[ted] any violations". Gunfire and explosives continued to be heard during the ceasefire, drawing condemnation from Special Representative Volker Perthes.

On 17 April, the governments of Kenya, South Sudan, and Djibouti expressed their willingness to send their presidents to Sudan to act as mediators. Khartoum Airport was closed due to fighting, making arrival by air difficult.

On 18 April, RSF commander Dagalo said the paramilitary force agreed to a day-long armistice to allow the safe passage of civilians, including those wounded. In a tweet, he said that the decision was reached following a conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken "and outreach by other friendly nations". The SAF initially said it was unaware of any coordination with mediators or the international community regarding a truce and claimed the RSF was planning to use this time to cover up for a "crushing defeat". An army general later confirmed that the SAF had agreed to a 24-hour ceasefire to start at 18:00 local time (16:00 UTC). After the start of the promised ceasefire, gunfire and shelling continued to be heard in the center of Khartoum. The SAF and the RSF issued statements accusing each other of failing to respect the ceasefire. The SAF's high command said it would continue operations to secure the capital and other regions.

On 19 April, both the SAF and the RSF said that they had agreed to another 24-hour ceasefire starting at 18:00 local time (16:00 GMT). Heavy fighting continued between the two sides after the ceasefire had supposedly begun.

On 21 April, the RSF said it would observe a 72-hour ceasefire which would come into effect at 6:00 (4:00 GMT) that day, the beginning of the Islamic holiday of Eid ul-Fitr. There was no immediate word from the SAF on whether it would reciprocate. Despite the SAF agreeing to a three-day truce later that afternoon, fighting continued throughout the day in Khartoum and other conflict zones. A new 72-hour ceasefire agreement was announced on 24 April, but again fighting continued.

On 26 April, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) proposed a 72-hour extension of the ceasefire, while South Sudan offered to host mediation efforts. The SAF said it supported the plan and would send an envoy to the South Sudanese capital Juba, to participate in the talks. The RSF announced its support for the extended ceasefire on 27 April. Fighting continued after the start of the extended ceasefire.

On 30 April, the RSF announced that the ceasefire was to be further extended by 72 hours, to which the SAF later agreeed. Fighting continued during this ceasefire.

On 1 May, United Nations Special Envoy to Sudan Volker Perthes announced that the SAF and the RSF had agreed to send representatives for negotiations mediated by the UN, but did not give a date or venue for the talks.

On 2 May, South Sudan's Foreign Ministry said that the SAF and the RSF had agreed “in principle” to a weeklong ceasefire to start from 4 May.

Disinformation

On 14 April, the official SAF page published a video it said was of operations carried out by the Sudanese Air Force against the RSF. Al Jazeera's monitoring and verification unit claimed the video was fabricated using footage from the video game Arma 3 that was published on TikTok in March 2023. The unit also claimed the video showing Sudanese army commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan inspecting the Armoured Corps was from before the fighting. A video reportedly of Sudanese helicopters flying over Khartoum to participate in operations by the SAF against the RSF, also circulated on social media, turned out to be from November 2022.

Two photos widely circulated on social media that depicted a burning bridge reported as Bahri bridge and a bombed building allegedly in Khartoum, were both revealed to be from the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Reactions

Domestic

Military

Rapid Support Forces (RSF): In an interview with Al Jazeera, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commander of the RSF, accused Abdel Fattah al-Burhan of forcing the RSF to begin confrontations and accused SAF commanders of scheming to bring deposed leader Omar al-Bashir back to power. On Twitter, Dagalo called for the international community to intervene against Burhan, claiming that the RSF was fighting against radical militants.

Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF): The SAF accused the RSF of seditious conspiracy against the state and said that the RSF would be dissolved without discussion. It labeled Dagalo a criminal and issued a wanted notice for him. The SAF stated it would conduct sweeps for Rapid Support Forces and urged civilians to stay inside. The Sudanese Armed Forces' media representative told Al Jazeera that retired veterans had joined the SAF's fight against the RSF.

Civilian

Former Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok publicly appealed to both al-Burhan and Dagalo to cease fighting.

On 18 April, el-Wasig el-Bereir of the National Umma Party was in communication with the SAF and the RSF to get them to stop fighting immediately, while el-Fateh Hussein of the Khartoum resistance committees called for the fighting to stop immediately, stating that the resistance committees had long called for the SAF to "return to their barracks" and for the RSF to be dissolved.

Sudanese resistance committees coordinated medical support networks, sprayed anti-war messages on walls, and encouraged local communities to avoid siding with either the RSF or the SAF. Hamid Murtada, a member of the resistance committees, described the resistance committees as having "an important role in raising awareness to their constituencies and in supporting initiatives that [would] end the war immediately".

Protests against the conflict were held by residents in Khartoum Bahri, Arbaji, and Damazin.

International

On 19 April, diplomatic missions in Sudan, which included those of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union, issued a joint statement calling for fighting parties to observe their obligations under international law, specifically urging them to "protect civilians, diplomats and humanitarian actors," avoid further escalations and initiate talks to "resolve outstanding issues."

Countries

• Algeria called for "joint and urgent action to avoid further escalation and put an end to the fighting".
• Canada closed its embassy in Khartoum until further notice and advised its nationals to avoid all travel to Sudan.
• Chad closed its land border with Sudan. Defence Minister Daoud Yaya Brahim expressed concern that the interception of Sudanese soldiers within Chadian territory on 17 April could spill over into Darfur.
• China said that it was "closely following the latest developments" and called on both sides to end the fighting "as soon as possible" and prevent any escalation of tensions.
• Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and South Sudan's President Salva Kiir, both of whom lead two of Sudan's neighboring countries, offered to mediate between the warring sides. Egypt also closed its border with Sudan.
• Eritrea's President Isaias Afwerki publicly criticized both the SAF and the RSF for hijacking the Sudanese Revolution and for their conduct in the conflict, calling for the existence of only one army in Sudan. While he said that the country's borders were open to those affected by the fighting, he insisted that no refugee camps would be established in Eritrea.
• Ethiopia and Kenya both urged restraint in light of the situation. Kenya had also announced they would evacuate their citizens, but the fighting in Sudan has delayed those plans.
• India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level meeting on 21 April to discuss the situation in Sudan and prepare measures for the security and evacuation of its citizens there.
• Israel proposed hosting Generals Burhan and Dagalo for ceasefire talks, saying one of its senior officials was doing progress in mediating between the two.
• Malaysia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the violence and called for meaningful dialogue between all parties involved in the conflict. Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir revealed that the ministry had activated a "Sudan Operation" and a special team to ensure their safety and welfare.
• Norway has advised its citizens to avoid any travel to Sudan.
• Pakistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that it was closely monitoring the security situation in Sudan and contacting the thousand-member Pakistani population in Khartoum to ensure their safety.
• Portugal's President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa announced Sunday in a press conference with Brazil's President Lula da Silva that Portugal would work with Brazil to begin a "rapid withdrawal" of both Portuguese and Brazilian nationals.
• Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud made two phone calls on 16 April with Generals Burhan and Dagalo calling for an end to the violence and the resumption of the transition to a civilian-led government in Sudan.
• South Africa announced that it would begin evacuating South African citizens from Sudan on 24 April. President Cyril Ramaphosa also said that South Africa would assist neighboring countries with the return of their citizens as well.
• Spain's Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares said that its government supports efforts to restore peace to Sudan and continue its democratic transition.
• Sweden's Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson said the government will evacuate its embassy staff and their families from Sudan as soon as an available situation appears.
• Tanzania said it was planning to evacuate its 210 citizens from Sudan. Foreign Minister Stergomena Tax told parliament that the government was communicating with the Tanzanian embassy in Khartoum for updates and coordinating with neighboring countries and bodies such as the African Union and the United Nations.
• Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan held separate phone calls with Generals Burhan and Dagalo calling on both sides to end the conflict and return to negotiations.
• United Kingdom Foreign Secretary James Cleverly cut short a visit to New Zealand and cancelled a succeeding trip to Samoa to focus on monitoring the situation in Sudan.
• United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for de-escalation and peace talks. He reiterated demands for a ceasefire in separate phone calls with Generals Burhan and Dagalo and called an attack on a US diplomatic convoy in Darfur on 17 April as "reckless, irresponsible and unsafe". President Joe Biden ordered an additional deployment of troops to its base in Djibouti to assist in the evacuation of American citizens from Sudan.
• In his Sunday message from Vatican City on 23 April, Pope Francis called the situation in Sudan grave and called for dialogue between the warring factions.

Organizations

• The African Union called for a political solution to the crisis. The body's Peace and Security Council said that it "strongly rejects any external interference that could complicate the situation in Sudan" after an emergency meeting. It also announced that the head of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, was planning to "immediately" go on a ceasefire mission to Sudan.
• The Arab League called for an immediate end to the violence in Sudan and offered to mediate between the country's warring sides in a statement issued following an emergency meeting in Cairo.
• The European Union's foreign policy chief Josep Borrell confirmed EU staff were all accounted for and called for an immediate end to the violence. He also called the attack on its Ambassador Aidan O'Hara in Khartoum a gross violation of the Vienna Convention. EU spokeswoman Nabila Massrali told AFP news agency the EU delegation had not been evacuated from Khartoum following the attack.
• The Intergovernmental Authority on Development, an East African trade bloc, held an emergency meeting on the situation in Sudan and said it plans to send Kenyan President William Ruto, South Sudanese President Salva Kiir and Djiboutian President Ismail Omar Guelleh to Khartoum as soon as possible to reconcile the conflicting groups.
• United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate cessation of all hostilities and condemned the killing of several World Food Programme employees in Sudan, describing the deaths as "appalling". He also expressed concern that the conflict in Sudan could escalate into a disastrous regional conflict.