Sudanese army strikes RSF positions, displacement crisis deepens in state

The Sudanese Armed Forces conducted airstrikes on Thursday targeting rival paramilitary and rebel group positions in the southeastern part of the country. The latest military action underscores the continuing ferocity of the civil war, which has simultaneously generated a catastrophic displacement crisis, with one region alone sheltering over 1.1 million people.

Drone attacks near the Ethiopian border

According to military sources, the Sudanese army deployed drones to hit positions held by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces and its ally, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North. The strikes focused on the towns of Yabous and Balila in Blue Nile State, areas located near the border with Ethiopia that have been under SPLM-N control since 2011. The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, reported that the attacks destroyed military vehicles and supply trucks, though the number of casualties remains unclear. None of the involved factions issued an immediate statement regarding the assault.

Expansive ground operations and territorial contest

Beyond the airstrikes, the Sudanese army has expanded its ground operations. Witnesses and social media posts from army personnel indicated that military units conducted extensive sweeps west of Omdurman, pushing toward the border with North Kordofan state. The troops reportedly patrolled more than 45 kilometers to clear the area of RSF elements and claimed readiness to restore full control over North Kordofan in the near future. Currently, the RSF maintains a presence in the northern parts of that state, while the army controls the capital city of El Obeid and other central and eastern areas.

Mounting humanitarian catastrophe

While the fighting rages, the humanitarian toll has reached staggering proportions. Authorities in White Nile State, a government-controlled area that has remained outside the main conflict zones, announced it is now hosting more than 1.128 million displaced people. State Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Lamia Ahmad Abdullah stated that the vast majority are staying with host families, while over 8,000 are in organized camps. The state has recently absorbed tens of thousands of people fleeing violence in Kordofan and Darfur. The commission is working with aid organizations to provide essential food, shelter, and medical services. The conflict, which has killed thousands and displaced millions, represents one of the world's most severe crises, demanding sustained international attention and humanitarian cooperation from nations like Türkiye, which actively supports diplomatic and relief efforts in the region.