Displaying items by tag: Civil War

The Arakan Army (AA), an ethnic insurgent group, has captured the Myanmar military’s border guard base in northern Rakhine State, marking a significant victory in the country’s civil war. After months of intense fighting, the base, built on a former Rohingya village destroyed during the 2017 crackdown, fell to the AA, leaving the junta humiliated. The AA now controls the entire 270 km border with Bangladesh and much of Rakhine State. The battle was among the bloodiest in the conflict, with over 450 junta soldiers killed. While the AA is setting up its own administration in the region, challenges persist. The area is devastated, with 80% of housing destroyed, widespread displacement, and looming famine exacerbated by a military blockade. The future of the Rohingya population in Rakhine remains uncertain. Though the AA has pledged inclusivity, there are tensions between the Rohingyas and the ethnic Rakhine majority. The AA’s leadership remains quiet on how they will govern amid growing humanitarian concerns.

The UN’s political affairs chief Rosemary DiCarlo has condemned the continuing flow of weapons to the conflict in Sudan, urging an immediate halt to external military support. Both the army and the paramilitary RSF are escalating their operations and recruiting new fighters, fuelled by substantial foreign backing. She said that this external support is prolonging the conflict and worsening the humanitarian crisis, which has so far claimed over 24,000 lives and displaced 11 million people. The civil war, ignited in April 2023 by a power struggle between two rival leaders, has led to widespread atrocities, with both sides accused of war crimes, including ethnic cleansing. Despite calls for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations, both sides remain entrenched, partly due to the continued influx of arms. The UN Security Council is discussing a resolution which urges the warring parties to allow unhindered humanitarian aid deliveries, as more than half of the country’s population of 50 million faces severe food shortages.

A military airstrike on a mosque in Wad Madani, in the centre of Sudan, has killed 31 people, according to local activists. The attack occurred after evening prayers and was reportedly carried out using barrel bombs. Many victims have not yet been identified, as rescue teams are still working through the remains of dozens of charred and mutilated bodies. Since April 2023, Sudan has been ravaged by conflict between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), resulting in widespread death and displacement. The two sides are battling for control of Al-Jazira state, a key agricultural area, currently controlled by the RSF. Both groups have been accused of war crimes, including targeting civilians and looting.

The USA is launching new peace talks to end Sudan’s 16-month civil war, driven by fears that the conflict is plunging the country into potentially the worst famine in decades. Sudan’s military, one of the two warring factions, had originally agreed to attend the negotiations in Switzerland, but changed their minds after a drone attack on the army chief, dashing hopes for a quick ceasefire. The talks aim to broker a ceasefire and secure humanitarian access for over ten million displaced people. Famine has been declared in Sudan’s Darfur region, with estimates suggesting up to 2.5 million people could die of hunger by September. Only one-third of the $2.7 billion requested by the UN for Sudan has been received so far: the UN fears that as many as 26 million face acute hunger. See

Sudan's military commander, Gen Abdel-Fattah Burhan, has survived a drone attack at a military graduation ceremony which killed five people. The attack occurred as the conflict continues between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with military leaders now operating mainly in the east of the country. The drone strike followed the RSF announcement of upcoming ceasefire talks in Switzerland, hosted by the USA and Saudi Arabia. The foreign ministry expressed readiness to participate but emphasised the need to protect civilians and accused the RSF of being the only party attacking cities, villages and civilians. The UN reports that over 4.6 million people have been displaced by the conflict, with many fleeing to safer areas within Sudan or neighbouring countries.

Sudan's army has reclaimed the state broadcaster's headquarters in Omdurman, marking a symbolic victory in its eleven-month civil war against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF had held the building since the conflict began but had not been able to transmit from it; state television has continued to show pro-army content, broadcast from elsewhere in the country. Despite UN calls for a ceasefire during Ramadan, intense fighting has continued in several parts of Khartoum. This recapture signifies a major setback for the RSF, which had used the headquarters as a stronghold. The conflict, stemming from disagreements between military and RSF leaders over a political transition to civilian rule, has displaced millions, devastated Khartoum, and triggered ethnic violence in Darfur. International efforts to broker peace have faltered, and the humanitarian toll remains dire, with warnings of growing hunger and continued displacement.

Over a hundred people, including ten civilians, were killed and another 125 were injured when drones carrying explosives targeted a graduation ceremony at a military academy in Homs. The army blamed ‘terrorist groups backed by known international forces’, and said it would respond with full force and determination against these terrorist groups ‘wherever they are’. There was no immediate claim from the rebels and jihadists battling the government in the country's civil war. The attack is believed to have been launched from opposition-held areas north-west of Homs. An eye-witness said, ‘After the ceremony, people went down to the courtyard and the explosives hit. We don't know where it came from, and corpses littered the ground.’ Syria's defence minister attended the graduation ceremony, but left minutes before the attack.

The International Criminal Court has opened another war crimes probe after three months of war between feuding generals. 87 bodies were buried in a mass grave by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group prompting a UN warning of possible new massacres in Darfur. The ICC has been investigating crimes in Sudan's Darfur region since 2005. The UN Security Council charged former leader Omar al-Bashir with genocide and crimes against humanity - murder, rape and torture. Allegations of similar atrocities have mounted during recent fighting. UN officials are calling for the warring sides to face accountability. About 3,000 people have been killed and three million displaced since violence erupted between Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy Mohamed Hamdan Daglos. The UN warns history could repeat itself - the people of Darfur have lived with uncertainty, pain and the scars of conflict for almost two decades.

Christian and other minority faith group persecution in Manipur worsens. By 26th May 70+ Christians were killed, 10,000 forced from homes, 300+ churches burned or demolished, and 1,000 Christian homes destroyed as Hindus sought Christians to kill or convert to Hinduism. The Supreme Court ordered the military to maintain peace in the region, but the Hindu nationalist government has done nothing to stop the violence. Open Doors said, ‘If the situation continues civil war is inevitable, with more lives lost, properties destroyed and further open persecution of religious minorities.’ Those who have fled don't have food or shelter and face threats of physical violence. Justin Welby is distressed to hear about these attacks on indigenous tribal Christians, saying, ‘Kailean Khongsai is training for Church ordination and is from Manipur. I join him in praying that regional authorities would protect all minority groups, including Christians and their places of worship, and that justice and peace would prevail.’ See

It is a fraught situation for Christians trapped in Khartoum since Sudan’s civil war erupted on 15 April between the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militias. Pastor Desta said living in his area was becoming almost impossible. Fire burned down his church and the local market. ‘Every two days we walk to a distant district to get water and provisions. Most of our neighbours have left. The other day two friends and I took the church car to get water and provisions, then RSF members searched and questioned us. It is getting awful. We are waiting for a couple of days. If it gets worse, we will leave. Many are saying that intense fighting means escape has become too dangerous now that RSF members surround those who remain. RSF uses nearby homes for shelter; they are targeted by the army. Indirectly, we are under siege. Nowhere is safe.’