During the reference period, the SAF controlled the eastern part of South Kordofan as well as a small corridor in the western part of the state connecting Kadugli and Dilling.883 In its operations against the RSF, the SAF were supported by Joint Forces elements and paramilitary volunteers.884 Both Kadugli, capital of South Kordofan, and Dilling, the state’s second largest city,885 were controlled by the SAF but surrounded by RSF and SPLM-N-Al-Hilu troops.886 As of November 2025, all local government headquarters and major cities in the state were located in SAF-controlled territory with the exception of Habila town,887 which was later seized by the SAF in January 2026.888
The RSF controlled a smaller area in the northwest of the state.889 The SPLM-N-Al-Hilu controlled the Nuba Mountains in South Kordofan890 and maintained its command headquarters in Kaoda (Kauda).891 Following the formation of the Taasis alliance in February 2025 (see section 1.1.1. Political developments), the RSF and SPLM-N-Al-Hilu carried out joint military operations in the state.892
- 883
Sudans Post, Territorial Control Map – Sudan Conflict (as of June 21, 2026) [Map 1], 22 June 2026, url; Sudans Post, Territorial control map – Sudan Conflict (as of May 10, 2026) [Map], 10 May 2026, url; Sudans Post, Territorial control in Sudan – October 2025 [Map 2], 12 October 2025, url; Soliman, A. and Baldo, S., Gold and the war in Sudan [Map], Chatham House, updated 24 March 2026, url
- 884
Sudan Tribune, Army reaches Kadugli, ending two-year siege, 3 February 2026, url
- 885
Ayin Network, Analysis: Sudan’s Kordofan War, the fiercest front lines, 28 November 2025, url
- 886
Reuters, Paramilitary force pushes east in new escalation of Sudan's war, 14 November 2025, url; Ayin Network, South Kordofan: Thousands face starvation in Kadugli and Dilling with access routes cut off, 17 August 2025, url
- 887
Ayin Network, Analysis: Sudan’s Kordofan War, the fiercest front lines, 28 November 2025, url
- 888
Sudan Tribune, Sudanese army captures strategic Habila town, regains Blue Nile areas, 26 January 2026, url
- 889
Sudans Post, Territorial control map – Sudan Conflict (as of May 10, 2026) [Map], 10 May 2026, url; Sudans Post, Territorial control in Sudan – October 2025 [Map 2], 12 October 2025, url; Soliman, A. and Baldo, S., Gold and the war in Sudan [Map], Chatham House, updated 24 March 2026, url
- 890
DW, Nuba Mountains, a fragile refuge on Sudan's front line, 17 April 2026, url
- 891
Sudan Tribune, SPLM-N says Sudan army drone strike kills 45 civilians in South Kordofan, 29 November 2025, url
- 892
CTP, Red Sea Showdown Brewing in Northern Somalia, New Fronts in Sudan: Africa File, January 29, 2026, 29 January 2026, url; Sudan Tribune, SPLM-N says Sudan army drone strike kills 45 civilians in South Kordofan, 29 November 2025, url; Ayin Network, Analysis: Sudan’s Kordofan War, the fiercest front lines, 28 November 2025, url