Sudan Conflict Sees 11 Million Displaced Amid Foreign Arms Flows
UN reports indicate external powers sustain Sudan's civil war through weapon supplies, while millions face displacement and hunger.
Key points
- The UN reports that at least 60,000 people were killed in the El Fasher massacre, which it deems to have hallmarks of genocide.
- Over 11 million people have been displaced in Sudan, creating the world's largest humanitarian crisis with 20 million facing food insecurity.
- Foreign powers including Russia, Egypt, and Iran continue to supply weapons to both the SAF and RSF, sustaining the conflict.
The conflict in Sudan has persisted for nearly three and a half years, with the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continuing to inflict severe casualties on civilians. According to a recent United Nations report, this violence is sustained by foreign actors who provide weapons, personnel, and logistical support, effectively turning the internal struggle into a proxy war driven by external self-interest.
While fighting in the capital Khartoum has diminished following recent SAF recapture, intense combat continues in Darfur, Kordofan, and Blue Nile states. The UN Fact-Finding Mission concluded that the recent massacre in El Fasher, which killed at least 60,000 people, bears the hallmarks of genocide, including ethnically targeted killings and widespread sexual violence.
Escalation of Drone Warfare
Both warring parties have increasingly relied on drone technology to target civilian infrastructure and populations. In recent months, suspected RSF strikes on aid convoys and SAF attacks on markets and court sessions have resulted in dozens of civilian deaths. The UN notes that the SAF are utilizing foreign-supplied drones, while transnational networks continue to supply the RSF, making it difficult to distinguish between legitimate military targets and civilians.
The humanitarian crisis has grown into the largest in the world, with over 11 million people forcibly displaced and approximately 20 million facing acute food insecurity. Access to aid is severely restricted by security dangers and government-imposed movement limits. In February, authorities revoked the licenses of four civil society organizations, further constraining the ability of local groups to provide assistance and promote peace.
Diplomatic Stalemate and Arms Supplies
Efforts to curb the flow of weapons have stalled in the UN Security Council. A US proposal to expand an arms embargo to the entire country was rejected by Russia, which holds veto power. Russia has shifted its support to the SAF, exchanging arms for gold and potential naval base access, while Egypt, Iran, and other states have also been identified as suppliers to various factions.
According to reporting from allafrica.com, the lack of unified international pressure allows these external interests to persist. Meanwhile, journalists face growing threats, with 14 media workers killed in 2025 and a significant proportion of women journalists reporting experiences of harassment and violence. This suppression of information makes it increasingly difficult to document the full scale of the atrocities occurring on the ground.
