The pace of military operations and mutual drone attacks between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces has slowed significantly along the open fighting fronts, compared to the escalation in the intensity of violent clashes over the past week.
The waning intensity of the battles comes after the army recently achieved significant progress in the North Kordofan axis, which is considered the most fierce fighting front, as it seeks to expand its control to reach the Darfur region (west of the country), which is almost completely under the control of the “Rapid Support Forces” with the exception of limited pockets in which the “joint force”, affiliated with the armed struggle movements supporting the army, is still moving.
On the other hand, the Rapid Support Forces launched large-scale attacks in the Blue Nile region, southeast of the country, and seized a number of small military bases and towns east of the city of Rusayris, the largest city in the region under the control of the army.
The Rapid Support Forces and its ally, the People's Movement-North, led by Abdel Aziz Adam al-Hilu, are trying to advance at a rapid pace to control the areas that open the way towards the city of Damazin, the capital of the Blue Nile Region, which has become one of the most important confrontation fronts in the war.
The states of North Kordofan and Blue Nile currently constitute two of the most prominent active fighting axes, after military operations moved over the past months to new areas, while the warring parties are trying to strengthen their positions and mobilize their forces on the lines of contact.
These mutual victories between the army and the Rapid Support Forces changed the map of control over the land in favor of each party, but the outbreak of fighting on the two fronts remains a possibility in the coming period.
During the past months, the warring parties mainly resorted to extensive use of strategic and suicide drones to carry out mutual combat operations deep into the areas of control of each party, affecting many civilian sites in Darfur and Greater Kordofan in the center of the country, which led to dozens of deaths and injuries, both military and civilian.
In the same context, the governor of West Darfur, Musa Bahr al-Din Karama, announced yesterday (Wednesday) the implementation of a lightning military operation, through which the “joint force” allied with the Sudanese army was able to control the Bir Klekel area, east of Jebel Moon in the state.
The governor said in a press statement: “Controlling this region is a step of strategic significance in the process of restoring the entire Darfur region.”
Members of the Joint Force published video clips confirming control over Bir Klekel in West Darfur state, while no official comment was issued by the Rapid Support Forces, and it was not possible to verify the matter from independent sources.
This is the third time in months that the Sudanese army and the forces supporting it have attempted to make a breakthrough in West Darfur, which is under the control of the Rapid Support Forces.
In another context, activists loyal to the Rapid Support Forces circulated video clips showing the graduation of large numbers of officers and soldiers in the city of Nyala in South Darfur, which the Establishment Alliance uses as the capital of the parallel government in the country.
Other clips also showed a military display of new combat vehicles and vehicles that the Rapid Support Forces appeared to have recently acquired.
The decline in fighting at the present time is attributed to the fact that both parties; The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces are racing to intensify military crowds on the ground, in preparation for a new phase of battles.
The recent decline in military confrontations comes in parallel with the continuation and escalation of diplomatic efforts made by mediators, to push the parties to the conflict in Sudan to an unconditional humanitarian truce, paving the way for a permanent ceasefire.
Egypt affirmed its continued support for efforts to strengthen Somalia’s capabilities and build its institutions, stressing “the rejection of any unilateral measures that would affect its sovereignty and territorial integrity,” in light of the escalation of tensions in the Horn of Africa region.
The Egyptian confirmation came during a phone call between Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati and his Somali counterpart, Abdel Salam Abdi Ali, on Thursday, which discussed “ways to strengthen bilateral relations and developments in the situation in Somalia and the Horn of Africa region.”
According to Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ambassador Nader Zaki, “The call discussed ways to build on the momentum witnessed by the strategic partnership between the two countries. The two ministers stressed the continued development of bilateral cooperation in various economic, development and investment fields, according to a statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The two sides also exchanged views on the latest developments in the political and security situation in Somalia, the Horn of Africa and the Red Sea region. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Aty reiterated his country’s “steadfast position in support of Somalia’s unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity, and rejected any unilateral measures that would prejudice its sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
The talks come amid tensions in the Horn of Africa region, against the backdrop of Ethiopia signing a memorandum of understanding with the separatist region of Somaliland, allowing Addis Ababa to rent a base on the Red Sea for commercial and military purposes, which Mogadishu strongly rejected, and considered it a “flagrant violation” of its sovereignty. Last December, Israel recognized the territory, in a move rejected by the Somali federal government, which asserts that it is an integral part of the country's territory, a position that enjoys broad Arab and international support.
During his call with his Somali counterpart, the Egyptian Foreign Minister stressed “the importance of following up on the implementation of the outcomes of the quadripartite consultative summit hosted by the city of El Alamein,” in a way that contributes to enhancing cooperation, integration and economic integration between the countries of the region, and supporting efforts to achieve security, stability and development in the Horn of Africa region.
On October 4, the presidents of Egypt, Somalia, Eritrea, and the head of the “Transitional Council in Sudan” held a four-party consultative summit, the final statement of which affirmed “support for Somalia’s unity and sovereignty, and the rejection of any interference or measures targeting its territorial integrity and national sovereignty, as well as the rejection of any recognition or support for what is called Somaliland.” The four countries also affirmed the principle of freedom of navigation, and that the governance of the Red Sea is the exclusive responsibility of the countries bordering it.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi affirmed that “Egypt and Saudi Arabia are the heart of the Arab and Islamic nations, and that any harm that befalls either country will affect the other.”
He said, “The saying that the national security of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the Arab Gulf states is linked is correct.”
Al-Sisi pointed out during the Police Academy’s celebration of “Graduates Day” for the year 2026, on Thursday, that “targeting the Kingdom in this way affects Arab and Egyptian national security, and that Egypt does not accept compromising the security of the Kingdom and its borders, and also rejects compromising the security of the Red Sea and international sea lanes.” The Egyptian President also stressed that “what matters to us is the Kingdom’s security, its stability, and reducing the escalation.”
This comes at a time when Egypt and Qatar stressed “the necessity of stopping all hostilities against the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, completely condemning these attacks, and showing solidarity with the Kingdom.”
The two countries agree on “the importance of supporting the efforts made and unifying work to reduce tensions and prevent the expansion of the circle of conflict, and to urge the activation of political and diplomatic paths to resolve the current crisis, in a way that contributes to enhancing regional security and stability.”
The Egyptian-Qatari assurances came during a phone call between Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati and Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman Al Thani, who discussed regional developments.
According to a statement by Egyptian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nader Zaki on Thursday, the phone call comes within the framework of continuous communication and coordination between the two brotherly countries regarding various issues of common interest. The two ministers discussed fraternal relations and various areas of bilateral cooperation between the two sides, including the exchange of visits at the highest level, and praised the achievements of these relations, stressing the keenness to continue strengthening them.
Abdel-Ati also exchanged views on regional developments and recent tensions in the region with his Kuwaiti counterpart, Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, where “emphasis was placed on rejecting and condemning the attacks on sisterly Saudi Arabia, and the necessity of concerted efforts to reduce escalation, and work to advance paths of political solutions and give priority to diplomatic dialogue, to support security and stability in the region.”
According to the Foreign Ministry spokesman on Thursday, the call also discussed aspects of bilateral relations between Egypt and Kuwait, where the two ministers appreciated the level of cooperation relations in various fields and the historical ties that bind the two brotherly countries. They also discussed the ongoing preparations for holding the next round of joint ministerial committee meetings in Kuwait.
Egypt repeatedly renews its full solidarity with the sisterly Gulf states, and its standing by their side in the face of everything that affects their security and territorial integrity. It also stresses “the rejection of any attacks aimed at harming the sovereignty and stability of the Gulf states.” She called on more than one occasion to “immediately stop the escalation and resort to serious dialogue and diplomatic means to settle the various outstanding issues in the region.”
Meanwhile, the Egyptian Foreign Minister stressed “the need to intensify efforts aimed at achieving calm, reducing escalation in the region, containing tensions, and preventing the expansion of the conflict, in a way that preserves the security and stability of the region, and guarantees freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz.” This came during the “works of the third session of the Joint Ministerial Committee” between Egypt and Thailand in Bangkok, Thursday, in the presence of the Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangkitkiw.
According to the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the meeting witnessed an exchange of visions regarding developments in the regional and international situation, as Minister Abdel Ati reviewed “Egyptian efforts to support security and stability in the Middle East, and efforts aimed at supporting the completion of the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s comprehensive peace plan in Gaza,” stressing “the importance of full commitment to the entitlements of the first phase, including ensuring the flow of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip without obstacles, and moving forward with early recovery steps.”
The “Trump plan” includes 20 points to end the conflict in Gaza, and moves from a ceasefire, to disarmament, technocratic rule, reconstruction, and Israeli withdrawal from the Strip.
