Renewed Fighting Among Its Factions in the Nuba Mountains Al-Hilu Movement... Eroding from Within| Sudanow Magazine

- Fighting erupts in Ira, Debi, and Um Darafi amid a bloody internal conflict.
- Gold, influence, and control of Kauda fuel the confrontation.
- Rebel forces seize strategic positions, weakening Al-Hilu's camp.
- Thousands displaced as clashes raise fears of a humanitarian crisis.

Fighting has once again taken center stage in areas controlled by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) – Nuba Mountains Region, as fresh clashes erupted across several locations that constitute the movement's political and military strongholds under the leadership of Abdelaziz al-Hilu.

These developments come amid mounting signs of an increasingly complex internal conflict driven by intertwined military, political, and economic factors. Chief among them is the struggle over natural resources—particularly gold—as well as competition for influence within the region.

Observers believe the conflict has moved beyond sporadic battlefield confrontations into a new phase that could reshape the balance of power across the Nuba Mountains, especially following reports of rebel advances in several strategically significant areas.

Gold: The Fuel of the Conflict

Natural and mineral resources have emerged as one of the principal drivers of the latest escalation. According to Ammar Nasser Nimairi, a member of the SPLM National Liberation Council for the Nuba Mountains Region, the renewed clashes in Ira and Debi were triggered by attempts to introduce foreign companies to conduct gold exploration in the area.

Speaking to Al-Karama, Nimairi stated that the companies entered through South Sudan with nine heavy vehicles and mining equipment, intending to begin gold extraction operations. Rebel forces, he said, moved to block the initiative, leading to fresh fighting that ultimately forced SPLM forces to withdraw from several positions.

This account underscores how natural resources have evolved from an economic asset into a major catalyst of military confrontation, further complicating the conflict in the region.

Debi: Where the Conflict Began

The fighting in Debi and Ira cannot be understood without considering the area's longstanding disputes over local boundary demarcation, land ownership, and resource control, particularly between the Shawaya and Otoro communities.

Analysts note that these tribal and administrative tensions, combined with the area's mineral wealth, have made Debi one of the most sensitive flashpoints in the Nuba Mountains, where violence frequently erupts whenever issues of resource control or military influence come to the forefront.

A Turning Point

Kauda occupies a unique position within the SPLM, serving for years as its political, administrative, and military headquarters. It hosts the movement's institutions, senior leadership offices, and residences of many officials.

According to Nimairi, rebel forces have now taken control of Kauda, along with Jawri, Jabadi, Ira, and Debi. These locations are strategically significant not only because of their geography but also because of their institutional roles.

Jawri houses the SPLA military training center, while Jabadi is home to the National Institute for Political Training and Qualification. Control over these sites therefore extends beyond territorial gains to encompass key centers responsible for training the movement's military and political cadres.

These developments represent a significant shift in the military balance within the Nuba Mountains due to both the symbolic and strategic importance of these locations.

Leadership Disappears from Kauda

Another notable development is the reported relocation of several senior military and political leaders loyal to Abdelaziz al-Hilu from Kauda to other parts of the Nuba Mountains.

Observers caution against attributing these movements to a single cause. They may reflect a military redeployment dictated by battlefield realities, heightened security concerns, or efforts to protect senior officials as the conflict expands.

Nimairi also revealed to Al-Karama that Izzat Koko, Chief of Staff of the SPLA, has been suffering from health complications, with efforts reportedly underway to evacuate him to South Sudan for medical treatment. Koko had previously left Kauda for the Heiban area after the outbreak of the fighting.

Signs of Internal Division

Perhaps the most striking element of Nimairi's account is his claim that a number of SPLM soldiers refused to fight against the rebel forces.

If accurate, this suggests growing divisions within some military units over the handling of the conflict and raises questions about the cohesion of the movement's forces as the fighting intensifies.

Analysts argue that internal fractures can be more damaging than battlefield losses because they undermine organizational unity and morale, potentially reshaping the military landscape in the months ahead.

Meanwhile, rebel forces continue to advance and capture strategic positions, indicating a substantial shift in the course of the conflict and an evolving balance of power across the Nuba Mountains.

The renewed fighting has also displaced thousands of civilians seeking safety under increasingly difficult conditions, raising fears of a worsening humanitarian emergency that will require urgent intervention from relief organizations.

Conclusion

Recent developments indicate that the conflict within SPLM-controlled areas has entered a new and more complex phase, where military calculations are increasingly intertwined with competition over natural resources and political influence.

As the fighting expands into areas that represent the movement's political and military core, the key question remains whether these developments will fundamentally reshape the balance of power in the Nuba Mountains or simply mark another chapter in a conflict that continues to grow in complexity.

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