The Siege of Al-Dalanj and Humanitarian Crisis in South Kordofan: A Case Study of Conflict and Resilience in Sudan
Abstract
The siege of Al-Dalanj, a southern city in Sudan’s oil-rich South Kordofan province, represents a microcosm of the broader humanitarian and military dynamics of the Sudanese civil conflict (2023–present). This paper examines the military operations, survivor testimonies, and international implications of the siege, which was broken by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in January 2026 after years of occupation by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). By analyzing the conditions of siege warfare, survivor narratives, and strategic shifts, this study underscores the intersection of conflict, human suffering, and geopolitical instability. The findings emphasize the urgent need for accountability, humanitarian intervention, and sustainable peacebuilding in South Sudan’s volatile border regions.
- Introduction
Sudan’s ongoing civil war, which erupted following the collapse of the 2020 Juba Peace Agreement, has escalated into a multidimensional crisis characterized by territorial fragmentation, humanitarian emergencies, and transnational alliances. The siege of Al-Dalanj, a key city in South Kordofan since April 2023, exemplifies the brutal consequences of protracted conflict. By January 2026, the Sudanese army’s reported liberation of the city highlighted shifting military dynamics, but the human toll—starvation, violence, and displacement—remains profound. This paper explores the siege’s military and humanitarian dimensions, contextualizing it within the broader Sudanese war landscape and international human rights concerns.
- Contextual Background: The Sudanese Civil War and South Kordofan
The 2023 conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary faction, emerged from unresolved tensions over power, governance, and resource control. The RSF, once integrated into the SAF, had grown into a powerful independent entity, often aligning with regional rebel groups. In South Kordofan—a strategic province bordering South Sudan known for its oil infrastructure and fertile lands—the war intensified after the RSF formed a strategic alliance with the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), a rebel group active since the 2011 South Sudan independence. By 2024, the RSF and SPLM-N jointly captured Al-Dalanj, establishing a hostile occupation that persisted for over 18 months.
- Case Study: The Siege of Al-Dalanj
3.1 Military Operations and Occupation
Al-Dalanj’s siege, initiated in April 2023, was marked by RSF forces imposing strict control over supply routes and deploying drone and artillery strikes to suppress resistance. The city’s liberation by the SAF in January 2026, as reported in statements, followed a “successful military operation” to restore access. However, the RSF’s retreat did not eliminate long-term instability, and subsequent reports indicated continued drone attacks, suggesting the conflict’s volatility.
3.2 Survivor Testimonies: Hunger, Death, and Deprivation
Eyewitness accounts from Al-Dalanj’s displaced residents paint a harrowing picture of life under siege. Survivors described severe food scarcity, with families resorting to eating “leaves and animal skin” to survive. Starvation claimed young lives, including children who succumbed due to malnutrition. Medical shortages exacerbated the crisis: chronically ill patients lacked access to insulin, hypertension medications, and dialysis. One survivor recounted, “We watched our neighbors die because they couldn’t leave for treatment. The RSF blocked all roads.” By December 2025, over 25,000 individuals had fled the region, according to UN figures, with many more internally displaced.
- Humanitarian Crisis and Long-Term Consequences
4.1 Immediate Impact
The siege created a textbook case of siege warfare, where deliberate restriction of humanitarian aid and essential goods constituted potential violations of international law. The World Health Organization (WHO) and Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported a surge in preventable diseases, including cholera and typhoid, due to poor sanitation and lack of clean water.
4.2 Psychological Trauma
The trauma of displacement, loss, and exposure to violence has left lasting scars. Children, particularly, face interrupted education and a lack of mental health support. A UNICEF report from early 2026 highlighted the rise of child marriage and labor as coping mechanisms among displaced families.
4.3 Regional and Economic Implications
South Kordofan’s oil infrastructure, damaged during the conflict, has crippled Sudan’s energy exports. The displacement crisis has also strained neighboring South Sudan, where refugee camps are overwhelmed.
- Strategic and Political Implications
5.1 Military Momentum and the SAF-RSF Balance
The SAF’s liberation of Al-Dalanj marked a rare military success against an RSF-SPLM-N alliance, which had previously captured key areas like al-Fashir in October 2025. Analysts suggest this could shift regional momentum, but the RSF’s entrenched alliances with SPLM-N and other rebels indicate prolonged conflict.
5.2 Geopolitical Dimensions
The war’s extension into South Kordofan has drawn regional actors, including South Sudan, which accuses the RSF of ethnic targeting. International powers, such as the U.S. and U.K., have imposed sanctions on RSF leaders but lack a unified strategy for peace.
- International Response and Human Rights Concerns
6.1 UN and Human Rights Advocacy
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights publicly condemned the siege of Al-Dalanj, urging accountability for violations. In a January 2026 statement, the UN emphasized the need to prevent “repetition” of atrocities such as those in al-Fashir.
6.2 Accountability Gaps
Despite evidence of war crimes, including attacks on civilian infrastructure, no individuals from the SAF, RSF, or SPLM-N have been prosecuted. The International Criminal Court (ICC) faces challenges in accessing conflict zones and enforcing mandates in non-state contexts.
- Conclusion
The siege of Al-Dalanj underscores the entwinement of military strategy and humanitarian catastrophe in Sudan’s civil war. While the SAF’s 2026 liberation offers a glimmer of hope, the preceding years of starvation, violence, and displacement exemplify the human cost of state fragility. Addressing the crisis requires not only military solutions but also robust international mechanisms for humanitarian access, accountability, and reconciliation. For South Kordofan and Sudan, the path to recovery remains precarious, hinging on the will of global actors to prioritize peace over geopolitical expediency.
References
Reuters. (2026). Sudan’s Army Breaks Siege of Southern City, Survivors Describe Hunger and Death. January 27.
United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). (2025). Displacement in South Kordofan: Update Report.
World Health Organization (WHO). (2026). Health Emergencies in Conflict Zones: Sudan Case Study.
United Nations Human Rights Council. (2026). Statement by the High Commissioner on Al-Dalanj.