Sudan is plunging deeper into conflict as the national army launches a large-scale effort to recapture key territories in Kordofan and Darfur from the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). These regions, already deeply scarred by years of devastating violence, have seen an escalation in fighting, with civilians caught in the crosshairs of two powerful factions vying for control.

Since clashes erupted in April between Sudan’s military and the RSF, the conflict has left thousands dead, over four million displaced, and widespread devastation. The RSF, once allied with the Sudanese military, has entrenched itself in these strategic areas, intensifying challenges for the army. Now, with renewed determination, Sudan’s forces are moving troops to retake control, deploying sophisticated strategies to dismantle RSF positions.

The battle for Kordofan and Darfur is significant—not only for Sudan’s sovereignty but for its people’s survival. Kordofan is a resource-rich region, while Darfur has long been a hotspot of conflict due to its ethnic and political complexities. Reports from local groups reveal a brutal toll on civilians, including destroyed homes, disrupted supplies of food and medicine, and a growing humanitarian crisis. Aid agencies are struggling to maintain access, as the violence cuts off essential lifelines.

For many Sudanese, this renewed military push is a double-edged sword. Some hope it may mean the beginning of the end of RSF control, which they blame for atrocities committed since the group’s rise to power. Others, however, fear further bloodshed as the country spirals deeper into chaos. International leaders, including the United Nations and African Union, have called for immediate ceasefires, but past efforts to mediate peace have failed to yield sustainable results.

Experts warn that unless the violence is halted soon and peace talks take center stage, Sudan risks descending into prolonged civil war. For now, all eyes are on the Kordofan and Darfur regions, where every battle brings with it the possibility of either hope or heartbreak, depending on who prevails.