Sudan Nashra: Erdogan offers Turkish mediation between Sudan, UAE | Military secures territorial gains in Bahri | Potential rift within Civil Front for Democracy amid calls for parallel govt

In Fasher, the historic capital of the Darfur region, hundreds of thousands of residents face months, if not years, of uncertainty before seeing an end to the bloody chapter of armed conflict between the Sudanese military with its allied armed movements and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Fueled by an influx of advanced weapons smuggled across the borders, the protracted war has devastated the region. 

The conflict in Darfur appears to be edging toward a political arrangement that would turn Sudan into a fractured state akin to its northern neighbor, Libya. Fasher has emerged as the epicenter of this scenario, with its population bearing the brunt of a battle to split the country into competing spheres of influence. 

Calls for a parallel government have gained traction within political circles — particularly in the Civil Front for Democracy, driven by the leaders of armed movements within the front, and some politicians aligned with the Dagalo family, which rules the RSF.

Meanwhile, Darfur — a region that has known nothing but war for the past two decades — has seen an escalation in military operations, particularly in its southern areas, as the military seeks to sever the RSF’s aerial supply routes. The military bombed three airports, including the Nyala International Airport, to disrupt the flow of supplies to the RSF in recent weeks.

On the battlefield, the war extended to the border with South Sudan when RSF troops retreating from Sennar attacked several border areas in the White Nile State, capturing positions as fighting continues. 

In Khartoum, intense clashes persist in the urban battleground spanning the capital’s three cities. The military has gained offensive momentum, particularly in Bahri, where it recaptured the Samrab neighborhood on Thursday. This advance positions the military for a push southward toward the Signal Corps camp.

In Gezira State, the military continues to advance toward the state capital, Wad Madani. This week, military airstrikes targeted RSF positions and large weapon depots in the city, while ground forces advanced from the southern axis via Sennar. However, the military lost the Um al-Qura area after the RSF launched a three-pronged attack, forcing a retreat, which the Sudan Shield Forces announced was a tactical maneuver to lure RSF fighters in the area.

To the south, the strategic area of Hajj Abdallah remains a decisive battleground on the path to Wad Madani. The military, advancing from Sennar, is concentrating its forces near the area, while the RSF has also amassed large forces in defense of its last strongholds leading to the capital.

On the political front, the Civil Front for Democracy concluded its third leadership conference, held in Entebbe, Uganda from December 3-6. The conference reaffirmed the urgency of ending the war and restoring a civil democratic transition. It also launched a sharp attack on the "Port Sudan rule," denouncing it as illegitimate and calling for an end to its hijacking of the state. The front pledged to explore all means to strip it of authority. 

While the position on forming a government-in-exile — proposed by some leaders — remains unclear, some figures within the front and armed movements voiced their intent not only to form a government-in-exile but to establish a government on the ground following the conference as well.

The conference revealed a divergence within the front, signaling a potential rift between armed groups advocating for such measures and political parties opposing the idea altogether. 

Diplomatically, Transitional Sovereignty Council Chair Abdel Fattah al-Burhan received a phone call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who offered to mediate a resolution of the disputes between Sudan and the United Arab Emirates, both the Transitional Sovereignty Council and theTurkish presidency reported on Friday. Burhan welcomed “any Turkish role that could contribute to ending the war caused by the rebel RSF militia.”

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Erdogan offers mediation between Sudan, UAE, Burhan welcomes Turkish efforts to end war

Burhan welcomed any Turkish initiative to bring an end to the war, which, he said, the RSF militia is waging against Sudan. 

The Transitional Sovereignty Council stated that Erdogan expressed readiness to mediate between Sudan and the UAE, in a phone call with Burhan on Friday.

Sudanese-Emirati relations have soured since last year, when Sudanese military leaders and state officials accused Abu Dhabi of funding and supporting the RSF. While the UAE has denied these claims, a United Nations panel of experts confirmed them in a January report, as did several international press reports. 

In July, Burhan and UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan held their first publicly announced phone call since the outbreak of the war. Both sides claimed that the other initiated the call. 

In the Burhan-Erdogan call, the Turkish president reiterated his country’s commitment to Sudan’s unity and stability, pledging continued humanitarian assistance and noting the upcoming resumption of Turkish flights to the North African country, according to the sovereignty council’s statement. 

Erdogan also stressed Turkey’s readiness to strengthen diplomatic relations and collaborate in the agriculture and mining sectors.

Burhan, for his part, praised Turkey’s steadfast support for Sudan, commending its efforts toward regional peace and stability. 

The Turkish presidency stated that Erdogan and Burhan discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and global matters. Citing Turkey’s intervention in the conflict between Somalia and Ethiopia through the Ankara Process, Erdogan said that his country can also step in to resolve the disputes between Sudan and the UAE, according to the presidency’s statement. Erdogan also emphasized Turkey’s main principles as “ensuring peace and stability in Sudan, protecting its territorial integrity and sovereignty, and preventing the country from becoming an area of foreign intervention.” 

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Military operations intensify in Fasher amid relentless RSF shelling

Fierce battles continue in Fasher, North Darfur, on both the northern and eastern fronts, between the military and the armed movements’ joint force on one side, and the RSF on the other.

Clashes intensified on December 9 and 10, a military source in the Sixth Infantry Division told Mada Masr. The military led extensive ground operations on the northern and eastern axes of the city, targeting RSF rearlines. The source said that the operation would continue, adding that the division's capabilities were reinforced by air drops and support from the Sudanese Air Force.

Meanwhile, a senior military source told Mada Masr that, on Sunday, the armed forces conducted airstrikes on multiple RSF sites across North Darfur, as well as in the South and West Darfur states and along the western border with Chad. The strikes targeted military equipment being smuggled into Sudan, destroying portions of the incoming supplies, according to the source.

An RSF source, however, told Mada Masr that the airstrikes targeted civilians, causing widespread destruction to infrastructure, including hospitals and displacement camps. According to the source, more than 100 people were killed or injured, some in critical condition.

In South Darfur, a source in the RSF’s western sector command told Mada Masr that the military bombed the Nyala International Airport, setting an aircraft on fire and completely destroying the airport's infrastructure.

A senior military intelligence officer also told Mada Masr that the strikes aimed to destroy RSF-controlled infrastructure used in military operations, both in attacks on Fasher and other areas in Sudan. The source added that the airstrikes destroyed three airports in South Darfur, two of which were used for exporting gold and livestock, while the third was used for RSF military supply.

A source from the office of South Darfur Governor Bashir Mersal — appointed by Burhan in November — told Mada Masr that they had intel of military supplies being sent to the RSF from the UAE through South Darfur. Gold from the Sango mines was also being transported to the UAE, according to the source.

Sango is a remote area in the Radom locality in South Darfur, about 286 km from the state capital, Nyala. It is part of the Radom National Park Reserve, located on the western edge of South Darfur, at the border triangle between Sudan, South Sudan, and the Central African Republic. The area serves as a key hub for narcotics cultivation and distribution, as well as gold mining.

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Military operations in White Nile State along Sudan-South Sudan border

A new front broke out in the White Nile State along the Sudan-South Sudan border. A local source told Mada Masr that on December 8, the RSF launched a large-scale attack on Joda, a border region and key agricultural and commercial hub through which goods and food supplies enter South Sudan.

On December 6 and 7, the RSF also attacked and captured the Taboun village in the White Nile State, along with the military camps of the 70th Brigade.

A source from the White Nile’s 18th Division told Mada Masr that the military repelled the attack and engaged in counter-maneuvers that destroyed the attacking force. RSF sources, however, denied the claims, asserting that they still maintain control of the 70th Brigade.

RSF adviser Al-Basha Tabiq told Mada Masr that the commander of the 70th Brigade fled to South Sudan and surrendered to its government following the RSF’s takeover. Meanwhile, a security source in the White Nile State contradicted this claim, saying that the brigade commander oversaw operations that enabled the military to regain control of all positions previously held by the RSF. The source added that military reinforcements are expected to arrive in border areas soon.

A military source from the South Sudan People's Defence Forces told Mada Masr that an agreement between Sudan and South Sudan, brokered during Burhan’s visit to Juba last week, prohibits the RSF from using South Sudanese territory for its operations. The deal also prohibits the Sudanese Armed Forces from conducting military activities within South Sudanese borders.

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Calls for parallel government signal potential rift within Civil Front for Democracy 

The Civil Front for Democracy’s third leadership conference concluded in Entebbe, Uganda, on December 6, after four days of deliberations. The conference exposed signs of division within the coalition of armed factions, political parties, unions, resistance committees, and civil society organizations.

Participants discussed the outcomes of the talks held in Geneva in August, the coalition's political vision and the humanitarian situation in Sudan.

The front spokesperson, Bakry al-Jack, told Mada Masr that the conference’s closing statement called for forming a broader civilian front to end the war and organizing a roundtable conference. 

Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) leader Abdel Wahid al-Nur addressed the conference. Nur, whose armed movement controls the western parts of Jebel Marra in Darfur, is one of the most prominent military and political figures. Nur has refused to join the coalition until it undergoes reform and adopts a new political direction. 

Jack denied any external influence on the front’s decisions, adding that international supporters of Sudan’s democratic transition are only informed after decisions are made. “Our choices are not dictated by what the rest of the world wants,” he said. 

Regarding the implementation of prior political agreements and efforts to end the war, Jack said that progress in Sudan’s second year of conflict is contingent on the warring parties’ responsiveness and the evolving nature of the war.

Jack also ruled out a visit by the front’s members to Port Sudan, citing the lack of an invitation from Burhan and no compelling reason for such a visit. Since early this year, the front’s leadership has sought to meet with Burhan to sign a political declaration. Jack noted that over 30 front members face legal prosecution in Port Sudan for alleged collaboration with the RSF.

Internal divisions also surfaced within the Sudan Revolutionary Front, a member group of the coalition, over a proposal to form a government-in-exile, an informed source told Mada Masr. The idea was presented at the Civil Front for Democracy’s founding conference. Key figures in the Sudan Revolutionary Front like Suleiman Sandal and Osama Saeed strongly back the proposal, while Al-Hadi Idris, deputy head of the Civil Front for Democracy and leader of the Sudan Liberation Movement-Transitional Sovereignty Council, opposes it.

The proposal has garnered support from several political leaders but was rejected by the front’s head, Abdalla Hamdok, who cited historical examples of the lack of recognition for governments-in-exile, with fewer than three countries ever acknowledging such administrations.

In contrast, Fathy Mohamed Abdo, spokesperson for the Sudan Liberation Forces led by former sovereignty council member Abu Bakr Hagar, said they are not after a government-in-exile but a “legitimate government” in Sudan. 

Abdo told Mada Masr that the idea had been discussed within the Civil Front for Democracy, though it might lead to internal tensions. He stressed, however, that no front members recognize the constitutional or political legitimacy of the Port Sudan government.

During its recent meeting, the front’s leadership council affirmed its commitment to delegitimizing the Port Sudan government by all available means."As is known, Sudan has lacked constitutional legitimacy since the October 25, 2021 coup against the transitional government," Abdo said.

He added that the proposed legitimate government would be formed through political consensus and guided by the principles of the December revolution. Its priorities would include providing essential services, addressing the humanitarian crisis, guaranteeing constitutional rights for all Sudanese people without discrimination, and preserving Sudan's unity.

Abdo described the proposal as a logical and acceptable option, adding that it garnered significant support within the front. "It’s true that there are differing opinions on the matter," he said. “But, we are engaging in in-depth discussions and constructive dialogue within the coalition to reach a consensus."

He also dismissed claims that the Sudan Revolutionary Front is leaving the coalition, saying, "The rumors about leaders in the revolutionary front that support the formation of a government leaving the Civil Front for Democracy are baseless. Open and democratic discussions are currently underway regarding this option as one of the proposed means to delegitimize the Constitution.”

"This proposal has been referred to specialized political channels within the front — called the political mechanism — for study and deliberation. So, any talk of the revolutionary front leaders or others departing from the coalition is premature," he added. "We remain committed to our work within the Civil Front for Democracy and are striving to reach a political consensus on forming a legitimate government. Therefore, we have no intention of leaving the coalition." 

Meanwhile, a source in the Civil Front for Democracy told Mada Masr that the SLM (Nur) has submitted a proposal on expanding the civilian front to end the war. The source noted that the front is currently reviewing the proposal.

The SLM (Nur), in coordination with political forces, armed movements, feminist and youth groups, and resistance committees, has agreed to continue consultations and meetings to engage with all Sudanese forces. Their aim is to establish a civilian front that can bring an end to the war and build the necessary national consensus.

On December 6, the SLM (Nur) held separate meetings with Hamdok, and Fadlallah Burma Nasser, leader of the National Umma Party. The discussions focused on the movement’s potential integration into the Civil Front for Democracy, as well as the front’s political vision. 

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Sudanese Air Force strikes RSF weapon depots in Wad Madani

A field source told Mada Masr that the military’s air force has carried out a series of strikes in recent days targeting RSF positions and gatherings in Wad Madani. On Tuesday, airstrikes destroyed ammunition depots in the Bant neighborhood and a combat vehicle carrying drones and artillery shells near Abu Heraz, east of the city, according to the source.

Another military source told Mada Masr that the armed forces regained control of Mazeegila, a village about 12 km south of the town of Hajj Abdallah in southern Gezira. The operation is part of an ongoing campaign launched in recent weeks to reclaim Wad Madani.

The source added that, during extensive combing operations in the Wad al-Haddad area, which the military secured on Saturday, a medical supply warehouse and another weapons and ammunition depot was found.

The area has witnessed ongoing exchanges of artillery fire. On Wednesday, the RSF shelled the village of Danigeela, near Hajj Abdallah, injuring several civilians, the source said. 

RSF troops retreating from the Sennar Sugar Factory and Wad al-Haddad have regrouped in large numbers in Hajj Abdallah, the source said, receiving reinforcements from Wad Madani on Tuesday. Military airstrikes targeted some of their strongholds in the area.

The source speculated that an imminent, decisive battle would take place in Hajj Abdallah. "If the military secures a victory, the path to Wad Madani from the south will be clear," they said, predicting that military forces from the south will converge with forces advancing from Managil in the west which would tighten the siege on the RSF in the area.

Hajj Abdallah is a significant agricultural and industrial hub in southern Gezira State. The military is advancing toward it from two directions — south and west — while securing the eastern bank of the Blue Nile.

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Sudan Shield Forces withdraw from Um al-Qura after RSF attack in ‘tactical move’, Keikel says

In the eastern front of Gezira, the Sudan Shield Forces, led by Abu Agla Keikel, announced a strategic withdrawal from Um al-Qura on Saturday as part of the military’s plan to draw the RSF into Um al-Qura and wear them down with airstrikes and artillery shelling.

In their statement, the Sudan Shield Forces emphasized their full coordination with the military and allied armed movements on both operational and technical fronts.

A military source told Mada Masr that the RSF attacked Um al-Qura from three directions, deploying suicide drones and heavy weaponry, adding that they called in reinforcements from Hasahisa in Gezira and East Nile in Khartoum.

The Sudan Shield Forces seized control of Um al-Qura on December 2 and advanced to other areas in eastern Gezira, reaching the outskirts of Areibab, east of Wad Madani, before retreating again.

A commander of mobilized fighters affiliated with the Sudan Shield Forces told Mada Masr that their forces had advanced to Areibab near Wad Madani and conducted combing operations near the Abu Heraz Bridge. However, the source said that the lack of support from the Khayari and Faw fronts to secure their rear positions allowed the RSF to encircle them and launch a three-pronged attack, forcing a retreat.

The source also noted the arrival of more fighters at the three training camps in the Butana Plain, predicting heightened military activity in these areas in the coming period.

A senior military officer stationed at the Faw front in eastern Gezira told Mada Masr that the top military command had reshuffled the leadership in the Khayari axis, appointing Brigadier Abady al-Taher, commander of the Nabaa al-Yaqeen battalion — which played a significant role in recapturing Sennar’s Dinder and Suki in October, according to the source.

The officer added that reinforcements for the mobilized troops had recently arrived, the latest of which included troops from the Eastern Battalion led by Commander Amin Dawoud on Tuesday. The source noted that the military is adhering to its plan to reclaim Gezira State by luring the RSF into specific areas, wearing them down, and then launching a comprehensive offensive.

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Renewed clashes in northern Bahri, military recaptures Samrab neighborhood

In the capital, Khartoum, fighting resumed in the Shambat and Samrab neighborhoods north of Bahri as the military sought to expand its territorial control, a field source told Mada Masr.

The source said that on Thursday, the military launched attacks on RSF positions near the Baraha Hospital and Bashir Towers in Shambat, as well as at the Listik station in Samrab, north of Bahri.

The RSF retreated, and the military gained full control of Samrab, the source added. However, Shambat remains a battleground for back-and-forth clashes, with heavy weaponry and drones being widely deployed. The source described the Shambat battle as the fiercest in a long time, lasting seven consecutive hours.

Since crossing the Halfaya Bridge on September 26 in their first large-scale ground offensive on the capital since the outbreak of the war, the military has been attempting to reach the Signal Corps camp south of Bahri to break the siege on the General Command in central Khartoum via the Blue Nile Bridge.

On Wednesday, Burhan visited the Weapons Corps camp in Kadro and the Hattab operational base in Bahri. He also inspected the site where RSF shelling struck the Thawra neighborhood’s Block 17 on Tuesday, killing dozens of civilians. 

Health authorities in Khartoum State have reported that RSF shelling on the Thawra neighborhoods resulted in more than 65 deaths, including bus passengers and an entire family, killed when a shell struck their home.