The Sudanese government has begun military operations against South Sudan-affiliated militant group the Sudan People's Liberation Army-Northern sector (SPLA-N) in the border states of Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan. These states, which are part of Sudan but have strong political and ethnical links to South Sudan , are key areas for both countries because of their oil reserves, and both countries can be expected to put significant resources toward controlling them, Juba by funding of the SPLA-N and other militant groups, Khartoum through the Sudanese Armed Forces. The contest over these states will be a protracted one, and the possibility of U.N. involvement in the means that it will not be settled for some time. However, no matter the length, it is highly unlikely that South Sudan will formally engage in fighting.
