Sudanese army repels RSF raid, regains control of Al‑Keili town in Blue Nile

The Sudanese army said it successfully repelled a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) raid on Al‑Kayli town in Blue Nile state in recent days. Intense fighting was reported, and the army announced that it had re‑established control of the town, although casualty figures have not yet been released. The clash occurred at a strategic junction on the border with Ethiopia, indicating that the conflict, which began in the capital Khartoum, is spreading northeastward.

Since April 2023, Sudan’s regular army and the RSF have been locked in a full‑scale civil war over the country’s highest authority. The army, representing the former President Bashir regime’s regular forces, is commanded by General Abdul Fattah al‑Burhan. The RSF is led by Mohamed Hamdan, the former head of the presidential guard. Fighting has continued in the capital and across multiple states, displacing hundreds of thousands of civilians. International mediators have repeatedly attempted to broker ceasefires, but both sides accuse each other of violating agreements, and hostilities have shown no sign of abating.

Blue Nile state is a key grain‑producing and mineral‑rich region in eastern Sudan. Al‑Kayli lies on the main road to Ethiopia and is adjacent to several oil and metal transport corridors. Control of the town secures military logistics, influences cross‑border trade, and affects the security of local tribes. In recent years the area has been plagued by tribal tensions and competition over resources, making it a focal point of the army‑RSF rivalry.

The African Union and the United Nations have both called for an immediate ceasefire and have dispatched observation teams to parts of the conflict zone. Regional powers such as Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Qatar are also pursuing diplomatic channels to mediate, but divergent military and political demands continue to stall negotiations. Humanitarian organizations warn that a prolonged conflict could exacerbate the food crisis in Blue Nile, potentially triggering further refugee flows into neighboring countries.

The Sudanese army has now deployed heavy forces in Al‑Kayli and is strengthening defenses around nearby villages. The RSF may shift its focus to other strategic locations such as Kassala or West Darfur province. As the front lines lengthen, civilian living conditions are deteriorating, with acute shortages of medical care, drinking water and education, while international aid deliveries are hampered by security concerns.

For Taiwan, the Sudanese civil war has no direct political connection, but the minerals and agricultural products from Blue Nile form part of global supply chains, especially uranium, gold and rare‑earth exports. Disruption of these export corridors could indirectly affect international market prices and energy security. Moreover, stability of the Red Sea shipping lane and the broader security environment in East Africa are relevant to Taiwan’s maritime trade routes and its diversified diplomatic strategy. Consequently, Taiwan is advised to monitor developments in African conflicts and assess any emerging economic or security risks.