Sudan Conflict Enters New and Dangerous Phase Amid Drone Warfare and ‘Conflict Gold’ Networks

With foreign-supplied drones and entrenched gold networks fueling the violence, hopes for resolution remain slim

A Shifting Battlefield

The civil war in Sudan has entered a perilous new phase in 2025, as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) — bolstered by Islamist militias and newly acquired Turkish drones — recaptured key territories and retook the capital, Khartoum. This marked a major shift in momentum in a war that has left thousands dead and millions displaced.

However, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), now entrenched in the Darfur region, have countered with precision drone strikes, using Chinese-made unmanned aerial vehicles. These are believed by defense analysts to have been supplied by the RSF’s alleged backers in the United Arab Emirates.

Critical Infrastructure Under Fire

In recent months, RSF drone attacks have targeted strategically vital infrastructure, including hydroelectric dams, power stations, fuel depots, and the international airport in Port Sudan — the current wartime base of the SAF. These strikes signal a shift from ground combat to a more technologically sophisticated form of warfare, raising fears of escalating regional instability.

Gold: The Hidden Engine of the War

According to Ahmed Soliman, co-author of a Chatham House report, the conflict is deeply intertwined with Sudan’s gold trade. Long before the civil war began, militarized networks already controlled much of the sector. The collapse of other economic avenues has only expanded their power, drawing businesspeople into illicit supply chains that fund armed groups.

“The networks are resilient and well-entrenched,” Soliman noted. “Efforts to sanction companies or individuals involved have been fragmented and reactive.”

A Call for Coordinated Action

Soliman emphasized that more needs to be done to shine light on the so-called “conflict gold” supply chain. This includes identifying companies involved, mapping distribution hubs, and applying targeted international sanctions.

“It has to be done in a co-ordinated fashion across jurisdictions,” he said. “But in today’s geopolitical climate, that kind of collective pressure is hard to mobilize.”

Neither the SAF nor the RSF responded to requests for comment.

Conclusion

As Sudan’s civil war increasingly turns into a proxy conflict powered by foreign drones and gold-fueled financing, the risks of wider regional destabilization grow. Without unified international action to disrupt the financial networks driving the war, the path to peace appears more distant than ever.

🔗 EXPLORE MORE LATEST NEWS RIGHT HERE!

• Forex: Get the latest trends and effective trading strategies
• Crypto: Stay updated on the hottest cryptocurrency market news
• Stock & Commodities: Discover potential investment opportunities
• Trading Brokers: Choose reliable brokers for your trades
• Expert Advisor: Smart tools to assist your trading
• Finance News: 24/7 updates on financial news

DON’T MISS OUT, CLICK AND READ NOW!