During the reference period, the SAF controlled the Nile valley in the eastern part of the state with the state capital Dongola.1160 The SAF 19th Infantry Division was based in Merowe.1161 In the vast desert areas outside the Nile valley, in June 2025, the RSF seized control of the border triangle between Sudan, Egypt and Libya in the state’s northwest, allowing them access to supplies and reinforcements from Libya.1162 In response, the SAF reportedly deployed reinforcements to the state in order to prevent potential RSF advances.1163 Furthermore, curfews and a growing number of checkpoints were reportedly imposed near Dongola and west of Wadi Halfa.1164
A map provided by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies as of the start of July 2026 depicted the SAF as having control of the Nile valley and all areas east of the Nile with support from the Al-Baraa Bin Malik Brigade, the tribal Kababeesh militia and Chadian Zaghawa foreign fighters.1165 Sudanese media further reported on the presence of Darfur Joint Force elements in Halfa district in Northern state1166 and Joint Force factions Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) in Delgo district.1167 The Africa Center for Strategic Studies map showed the RSF in control of the border triangle with Egypt and Libya in the northwest with support from Libyan and Chadian armed groups as of July 2026.1168
- 1160
Sudans Post, Territorial Control Map – Sudan Conflict (as of June 21, 2026) [Map 3], 22 June 2026, url; Sudans Post, Territorial control map – Sudan Conflict (as of May 10, 2026) [Map], 10 May 2026, url; Soliman, A. and Baldo, S., Gold and the war in Sudan [Map], Chatham House, updated 24 March 2026, url
- 1161
Sudans Post, SAF reinforce North after RSF threats, 1 July 2025, url
- 1162
International Crisis Group, Capture of Tri-border Area Marks Another Twist in Sudan’s Civil War, 20 June 2025, url; Arab Weekly (The), Sudan’s RSF tighten grip on army supply lines, shifting military balance, 23 June 2025, url
- 1163
Sudans Post, SAF reinforce North after RSF threats, 1 July 2025, url
- 1164
UNHCR, External Update #109 Sudan Situation - July 2025, 29 August 2025, url, p. 3
- 1165
Africa Center for Strategic Studies, Mapping the Armed Actors in the Sudan Conflict [Map], 7 July 2026, url
- 1166
Sudans Post, Detention spree in Northern State targets activists, protesters, 10 October 2025, url
- 1167
Al Taghyeer, تحذير من تمدد حركات مسلحة تنشط في تجنيد المعدنيين التقليديين بالولاية الشمالية [warning of expansion of armed movements active in recruiting artisanal miners in Northern state], 25 July 2025, url
- 1168
Africa Center for Strategic Studies, Mapping the Armed Actors in the Sudan Conflict [Map], 7 July 2026, url