What's happening?

"I stayed calm," said eight-year-old Leen. "I didn't cry, because we couldn't make any noise." She was describing how she and her family hid when armed men burst into her home. The men belonged to one of SudanA country in northeast Africa with a population of 45 million. 's two warring groups, the RSF (Rapid Support Forces).

Today, Leen is in Saudi ArabiaThe second-largest country in the Arab world, with a population of nearly 35 million. . Thousands of people have fled Sudan after fighting began last month. Some have left by air. Others are trying to leave by sea.

The cause of the fighting is a power struggle between two men. General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan is the head of Sudan's army. General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo commands the RSF armed group. 

In 2021 the pair took control of the government. But Dagalo did not like the fact that he was Burhan's number two. This led to the present fighting. 

Sadly other countries are keen to benefit from Sudan's mineral wealth and position in the world.

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Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates see Dagalo as a valuable support against other dangreous groups. But they also have ties to Burhan.

Russia wants a base for its navy on the Red SeaA seawater inlet of the Indian Ocean. To its right is Saudi Arabia, to its left the coast of north Africa.. Egypt wants Sudan's help to stop its neighbour Ethiopia building a damA barrier built to stop water flowing down a river, creating a lake. on the River Nile.

China also has interests in Sudan, which owes it over £4.8bn.

Yes: Many countries have interests in Sudan. Some of them go against each other. The fighting could get worse and involve other countries.

No: Different countries may support different sides. But they will not get involved in the fighting themselves.