Renewed Clashes in Sudan's Darfur Region Displace Thousands Amid Escalating Humanitarian Crisis
Intensified fighting between Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces leads to mass displacement and exacerbates famine conditions in North Darfur's Zamzam camp.
Recent escalations in Sudan's Darfur region have led to significant civilian displacement and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
On February 11, 2025, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched an offensive on Zamzam camp, located just south of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.
The camp, established in 2004, has been a refuge for those fleeing conflict, with its population swelling to approximately 500,000 due to ongoing violence.
The RSF's incursion resulted in intense clashes with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied militias.
Witnesses reported that the RSF entered the camp's main market area, setting several shops ablaze and causing numerous casualties.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimated that these hostilities have displaced around 10,000 families from Zamzam camp.
Additionally, approximately 1,544 households from nearby villages have been forced to flee due to the violence.
The IOM cautioned that these figures might be conservative, as data collection has been hindered by funding constraints.
The humanitarian situation in Zamzam camp has been deteriorating since famine conditions were declared in August 2024. The recent attacks have further exacerbated the crisis, with aid agencies struggling to deliver essential supplies due to ongoing hostilities and access restrictions.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported alarming levels of acute malnutrition among children in the camp, with at least one child dying every two hours.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the SAF and RSF, has led to widespread displacement across Sudan.
As of February 2025, over 12.3 million people have been uprooted from their homes, with more than 8.8 million internally displaced and over 3.5 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
The United Nations has described the situation as the world's largest displacement crisis, with nearly half of Sudan's population facing acute food insecurity.
The RSF's recent offensive appears to be part of a broader strategy to consolidate control over key territories in Darfur.
El Fasher remains the only state capital in the region not under RSF control, making it a focal point in the ongoing conflict.
The intensified fighting has raised concerns among international observers about potential further destabilization and the escalating humanitarian toll on the civilian population.
On February 11, 2025, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched an offensive on Zamzam camp, located just south of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.
The camp, established in 2004, has been a refuge for those fleeing conflict, with its population swelling to approximately 500,000 due to ongoing violence.
The RSF's incursion resulted in intense clashes with the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied militias.
Witnesses reported that the RSF entered the camp's main market area, setting several shops ablaze and causing numerous casualties.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimated that these hostilities have displaced around 10,000 families from Zamzam camp.
Additionally, approximately 1,544 households from nearby villages have been forced to flee due to the violence.
The IOM cautioned that these figures might be conservative, as data collection has been hindered by funding constraints.
The humanitarian situation in Zamzam camp has been deteriorating since famine conditions were declared in August 2024. The recent attacks have further exacerbated the crisis, with aid agencies struggling to deliver essential supplies due to ongoing hostilities and access restrictions.
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported alarming levels of acute malnutrition among children in the camp, with at least one child dying every two hours.
The conflict, which erupted in April 2023 between the SAF and RSF, has led to widespread displacement across Sudan.
As of February 2025, over 12.3 million people have been uprooted from their homes, with more than 8.8 million internally displaced and over 3.5 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries.
The United Nations has described the situation as the world's largest displacement crisis, with nearly half of Sudan's population facing acute food insecurity.
The RSF's recent offensive appears to be part of a broader strategy to consolidate control over key territories in Darfur.
El Fasher remains the only state capital in the region not under RSF control, making it a focal point in the ongoing conflict.
The intensified fighting has raised concerns among international observers about potential further destabilization and the escalating humanitarian toll on the civilian population.
