Sudan Conflict Intensifies as Thousands Flee Eastward From Darfur

Over 36,000 civilians have fled their homes in Sudan’s Kordofan region. This new wave of displacement follows a major paramilitary offensive. The United Nations confirmed the mass exodus this week.

The conflict is spreading east from the Darfur region. Central Kordofan has become a new battleground. The area is a strategic link to Sudan’s capital, Khartoum.

Battle for Strategic Hub of El-Obeid Escalates

The UN’s migration agency reported the exact figure. 36,825 people fled five localities in North Kordofan. This occurred between October 26 and 31.

Residents report a heavy surge in military presence. Both the army and RSF paramilitary forces are involved. They are vying for control of El-Obeid, the state capital. According to Reuters, El-Obeid is a key logistics hub. It hosts an airport and connects Darfur to Khartoum.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens with Atrocity Warnings

The RSF paramilitary group claimed control of Bara last week. A video showed an RSF member discussing the Bara front. Local residents are now too afraid to farm their land.

Martha Pobee, a senior UN official for Africa, raised the alarm. She warned of “large-scale atrocities” and “ethnically motivated reprisals.” These patterns echo the violence seen in Darfur. The RSF has been accused of mass killings and sexual violence there.

The wider conflict has created the world’s largest displacement crisis. It has killed tens of thousands and displaced nearly 12 million people.

The situation in Sudan remains critical. The expanding Sudan conflict continues to drive a severe humanitarian catastrophe. International attention is urgently needed.

Info at your fingertips

How long has the Sudan conflict been going on?

The war began in April 2023. It started as a power struggle between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. The fighting has continued for over a year and a half.

Who are the main groups fighting in Sudan?

The conflict is between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The RSF evolved from the Janjaweed militias previously active in the Darfur region.

What is the humanitarian impact of this conflict?

The impact is devastating. Tens of thousands have been killed. Nearly 12 million people are displaced, creating the world’s largest displacement crisis. The country also faces a severe hunger emergency.

Why is the Kordofan region strategically important?

Kordofan is a hinge between Darfur and the Khartoum heartland. Its capital, El-Obeid, is a key logistics and command hub. Controlling it is crucial for supply lines and influence.

What has been the international response?

The United Nations has issued repeated warnings about atrocities and ethnic violence. However, a coordinated international intervention to stop the fighting has not yet materialized, complicating aid efforts.