Sudan's military announces the recapture of the Blue Nile town of Kurmuk.

The Sudanese military announced that it has recaptured the Blue Nile town of Kurmuk. This development comes against the backdrop of Sudan's ongoing civil war, with conflict persisting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). According to estimates, the strength of the SAF stood at approximately 109,300 personnel in 2011, rose to about 200,000 prior to 2023, and reached roughly 300,000 in 2024.

The causes of the Sudanese civil war are complex, involving sectarian, political, and economic factors. Among them, Islamist elements hold considerable influence within the SAF, particularly the Muslim Brotherhood. It is estimated that Islamists account for a remarkably high proportion of the armed forces, with some reports indicating that as many as 75 percent of the troops are Islamists. This poses a challenge for the international community in its attempts to mediate the civil war, as the influence of the Islamist factions makes it difficult for the military leadership to accept a peaceful resolution.

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are another major force involved in the Sudanese civil war. Between 2016 and 2017, the RSF deployed 40,000 personnel to participate in the civil war in Yemen, with about 10,000 members returning to Sudan by October 2019. The involvement of the RSF has further complicated the situation in Sudan's civil war, and the clashes between the two sides have resulted in massive civilian casualties and displacement.

The civil war in Sudan has had profound impacts on the nation's politics, economy, and society. The country's political situation is unstable, and its economy has suffered severe damage. Furthermore, the civil war has affected regional security, with neighboring countries continuously monitoring the situation in Sudan.

Regarding the retaking of Kurmuk, the Sudanese military stated that this represents a significant victory against the RSF. However, an end to the civil war remains distant, and the international community continues to work toward mediating a peaceful settlement.

For Taiwan, although the civil war in Sudan has little direct connection to it, the event nonetheless holds important implications for regional security and the international landscape. As a globalized world where relations among nations are growing increasingly close, regional conflicts may generate ripple effects globally. Therefore, understanding and paying attention to international affairs is crucial for Taiwan, helping it better respond to the challenges and opportunities of globalization. At the same time, Taiwan can also draw experience and lessons from the Sudanese civil war to further refine its national security and diplomatic strategies.