The Situation in Sudan Between War and Ceasefires
(Translated)

Al-Rayah Newspaper - Issue 586 - 11/02/2026

By Ustadh Abdul-Khaliq Abdoun*

After about a week since the Sudanese army, along with the forces supporting it, lifted the siege imposed by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their ally, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North (SPLM-N), on the city of Al-Dilling, it succeeded in breaking a similar siege on Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan State.

The army launched a military operation to reach Kadugli, and fought fierce battles against the SPLM-N and the RSF along the Kadugli–Al-Dilling road. This enabled it to take control of the towns of Al-Samasim, Al-Kargal, and Al-Dishoul, before linking up with a force coming from Kadugli in the town of Al-Kuwaik, which it controls, in the evening, and then entering the city.

The Rapid Support Forces and their ally, the SPLM-N, had imposed a siege on the city since the early months following the outbreak of the war on 15 April 2023. Kadugli holds particular importance, as it is the capital of South Kordofan State and its administrative center, in addition to its geographical location which makes it a key junction linking the Kordofan states with the borders of South Sudan.

And on 26 January 2026, the army succeeded in lifting the siege on the city of Al-Dilling, the second-largest city in the state after Kadugli, following a siege that had lasted for nearly two years which had been imposed by the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North. Al-Dilling represents a key link between Kadugli and North Kordofan and is considered an important corridor for the movement of people and goods.

Since October 2025, the three states of the Kordofan region, North, West, and South, have been witnessing clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces within the context of the ongoing war that has continued since 2023.

In statements made during his visit to the headquarters of Sudan’s official television in Omdurman, the Chairman of the Transitional Sovereignty Council, Al-Burhan, said, “We say to the Sudanese people: congratulations on opening the road to Kadugli, and congratulations to our people there on the arrival of the armed forces to them. Our forces will reach any place in the country.”

He conditioned any ceasefire on the withdrawal of the Rapid Support Forces from the cities, explaining, “We welcome any call for a truce provided it is not exploited to strengthen the enemy or allow the militia to catch its breath again.” He added that any call for peace and an end to the war would be responded to, affirming, “We will not sell the blood of the Sudanese people or squander their rights.”

Al-Burhan also directed a message to the people of the city of El-Fasher, stating that the armed forces are coming to them with the support of the joint forces, the mobilized volunteers, and the popular resistance.

The recapture of Al-Dilling, Kadugli, or any other area serves to distract people from the reality of this ongoing war, which was ignited by the United States, with the help of its two agents, the generals Al-Burhan and Dagalo, in order to sideline Britain’s men, entrench America’s men in power, and proceed with the implementation of a plan to fragment Sudan. There is no military resolution capable of ending this accursed war. Instead, both sides are merely playing a game of advance and retreat.

It appears that the United States has begun moving toward arrangements to reap the fruits of this war. A press statement was issued by the Office of the Deputy First Spokesperson of the U.S. Department of State, Pigott, on 4 February 2026, stating that on 3 February 2026 the United States hosted an event with allies and partners, during which pledges were made to provide USD 1.5 billion in new humanitarian assistance contributions.

According to that press statement, “The United States invited more than 20 donors to the Donald J. Trump Institute of Peace where we announced $200 million in additional support through the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) alongside generous contributions from other donors. While we remain proud of America’s unmatched generosity, President Trump has made it clear that other nations must also shoulder a greater share of the burden for this lifesaving work. We applaud the significant contributions to the SHF and its critical humanitarian response activities from regional and international partners, particularly the United Arab Emirates, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Egypt, Chad, the United Kingdom, Norway, among others.”

The press statement added, “We look forward to the April 15 meeting in Berlin and for more countries to join this important humanitarian effort.”

It also noteworthy that Massad Boulos, U.S. Senior Advisor for Arab and African Affairs, indicated that there is a document currently available which is believed to be acceptable to both parties to the conflict in Sudan, and is expected to lead to a humanitarian truce. Speaking during an event on Sudan at the headquarters of the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) in Washington, he added that the United Nations has put in place a mechanism whereby fighters from both sides of the conflict in Sudan would withdraw from certain areas, allowing humanitarian aid to flow.

On 3 February 2026, he further stated that the peace agreement between the parties in Sudan would be submitted to the UN Security Council after being approved by the Quad, adding, “It's likely that we can get this accepted by the two parties, take it to the Security Council…We can also take it to the Board of Peace very shortly after that… Of course, their current focus is on Gaza. But why not? I know that the Board is interested in looking at Sudan and helping with Sudan... It doesn't in any way affect the UN or the UN Security Council.”

Boulos, who is known for repeatedly announcing anticipated truces in nearly all his statements, had called on the parties in Sudan to accept without preconditions the US plan backed by the Quad countries. The plan is based on imposing a three-month humanitarian truce, as a prelude to a permanent ceasefire, which in turn would pave the way for a nine-month transitional period. However, according to the US envoy, the plan ran into rejection from both sides.

Trump also states from time to time that his administration is working hard to end the ongoing war in Sudan. For example, in a speech he delivered during his participation in the traditional National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, held annually on the first Thursday of February, he affirmed that his administration has become very close to ending the war in Sudan. He claims that the conflict in Sudan will be the ninth war that he brings to an end.

This futile war that is destroying Sudan, and which has witnessed the largest displacement in the world, would never have occurred, were it not for the treachery of the rulers, who accepted that Sudan become an arena for the plans of the colonialist, disbelieving West. These criminals ignite the war whenever they wish, and halt it whenever they choose. The people of Sudan will not live a dignified and secure life, in which they obtain their full rights, except under a state that has no ties whatsoever to foreign powers, derives its strength from Allah (swt), sweeps these agents from the seats of power, and causes these disbelievers to forget the whisperings of Satan through Jihad in the Path of Allah (swt).

Allah (swt) said,

[لِـمِثْلِ هَذَا فَلْيَعْمَلِ الْعَامِلُونَ]

“For such honor all must those who do good deeds, do good deeds” [TMQ Surah As-Saffat 61].

* Member of the Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir in Wilayah Sudan