Sudan Situation Update | July 2023: The SAF Faces Setbacks as Armed Groups Overtake Territory Across the Country

By Ali Mahmoud Ali

Sudan at a Glance: 17 June-14 July 2023

VITAL TRENDS

• From 17 June to 14 July 2023, ACLED records 320 political violence events and approximately 880 reported fatalities in Sudan. Of these events, almost 80 were incidents if violence targeting civilians, resulting in over 220 reported fatalities. The ongoing war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has now reached its fourth month, resulting in a devastating loss of life – with thousands killed and over three million displaced. The SAF has suffered significant setbacks over the past month, losing control of territories in Khartoum, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Darfur region.
• Khartoum state continues to see the highest number of political violence events and reported fatalities, with over 200 incidents and more than 500 fatalities recorded during the reporting period. South Darfur state follows with almost 30 events and at least 115 fatalities. Fighting in South Darfur has intensified, with conflict incidents between the two sides more than doubling compared with the previous four weeks.
• The most common event type was battles, followed by violence against civilians. ACLED also records over 40 bombing events during the reporting period, with the SAF involved in nearly two-thirds. Notably, the SAF and RSF have reportedly both initiated a new trend of using fighter drones.