The ongoing war in Sudan is a deeply complex and devastating conflict that has spiraled into one of the most catastrophic crises in recent memory. It began in 2021 when a military coup toppled a fragile civilian government, plunging the country into chaos. The two primary forces behind the coup—the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF)—initially worked together but soon turned on each other, igniting an all-out war in April 2023. Since then, the conflict has escalated into a brutal struggle for control, with shifting territorial gains and losses that have brought immense suffering to the Sudanese people. By July 2023, the RSF had reached the peak of its territorial control, seizing key areas such as Singa in Sennar State and making significant advances in eastern Sudan. This momentum gave the impression that the SAF was on the brink of collapse.
However, the tide of the war began to shift in October 2024. The SAF managed to retake the strategically crucial Jebel Moya Mountain range in the east, marking a turning point in their efforts to regain lost ground. Since then, the SAF has continued to push forward, recapturing areas around the capital city of Khartoum, including the town of Soba to the east of the capital. Today, both sides are locked in fierce battles around Khartoum, with the SAF claiming gains not only in the heart of the capital but also in the strategically important city of el-Obeid to the west. The conflict has become a brutal and unpredictable fight, with control over key locations shifting constantly and civilians caught in the crossfire.
The human cost of this war has been staggering. The Armed Conflict Location and Event Data (ACLED) group, which specializes in tracking conflict-related deaths, has reported at least 28,000 fatalities. However, this figure is likely a significant underestimation, as many deaths go unreported due to the chaos and destruction caused by the war. Academics estimate that the true death toll may be as high as 150,000 people in less than two years of fighting. This devastating loss of life is only part of the story, as millions of Sudanese civilians have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety. The United Nations has described the situation as the largest and fastest-growing displacement crisis in the world, with 12.8 million people displaced—more than one-fifth of Sudan’s population. Among these, 5 million are children, according to UNICEF, highlighting the disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable members of society.
Those who remain in Sudan are often forced to live in dire conditions, with 8.9 million displaced individuals sheltering in refugee camps or other temporary settlements. Hundreds of thousands more have crossed into neighboring countries, seeking refuge in places like the Central African Republic, Chad, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, South Sudan, and Uganda. These displaced populations face immense challenges, including limited access to food, water, healthcare, and other essential resources. The displacement crisis has not only uprooted families but also disrupted communities, livelihoods, and entire systems of support, leaving many without a clear path to recovery. The war’s impact extends beyond Sudan’s borders, as the influx of refugees places additional strain on neighboring countries already struggling with their own challenges.
The conflict’s spread across borders underscores the regional and global implications of the war. While the brunt of the suffering is borne by the Sudanese people, the instability caused by the conflict has far-reaching consequences. The Sky News Data and Forensics team has played a critical role in documenting the war’s progression, using open-source techniques, social media, and local reports to map the shifting territories controlled by the SAF and RSF. Their work provides a transparent and data-driven perspective on the conflict, offering insights into the scale of the devastation and the humanitarian crisis unfolding on the ground. By combining traditional journalism with advanced analysis of satellite imagery and other open-source information, the team aims to explain the complexities of the conflict while showcasing the methods behind their reporting.
As the war drags on, the Sudanese people continue to endure unimaginable hardship, praying for an end to the violence that has consumed their country. The conflict’s human toll—measured in lives lost, families separated, and futures shattered—serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for a peaceful resolution. The international community must remain vigilant in advocating for humanitarian aid, diplomatic efforts, and accountability for those responsible for the atrocities committed during the war. Until then, the people of Sudan will continue to face an uncertain future, their resilience tested by a conflict that has brought their nation to its knees.
