Sudan Conflict Spreads to Kordofan Region as Thousands Flee
Over 36,000 Sudanese civilians have fled the Kordofan region amid escalating conflict between the army and paramilitary forces.
PORT SUDAN, Sudan: The conflict in Sudan has expanded into the Kordofan region, with over 36,000 civilians fleeing their homes according to the United Nations.
This development comes as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue to consolidate their control and deploy forces along new front lines.The central Kordofan region is strategically significant due to its location between Darfur provinces and Khartoum, the capital.
Recent weeks have seen this area become a new battleground in the ongoing two-year war between Sudan’s army and the RSF.
The conflict has intensified after the RSF took control of El-Fasher, which was the last stronghold of the army in Darfur.To challenge the pro-army government based in Port Sudan, the RSF has established a rival administration in El-Fasher.
According to a UN statement released on Sunday, approximately 36,825 people have fled five localities in North Kordofan between October 26 and 31 due to the escalating violence.Residents reported a significant increase in military activity in North Kordofan, with both RSF and army forces reportedly deployed across various towns and villages.
The army and RSF are vying for control of El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, which serves as an important logistics and command hub linking Darfur to Khartoum and hosting an airport.
The RSF claimed control over Bara, a city north of El-Obeid, last week.Civilians are increasingly fearful of potential clashes between the two forces.
Suleiman Babiker from Um Smeima, west of El-Obeid, stated that there has been an increase in RSF vehicles since their takeover of El-Fasher.
This has led to a suspension of agricultural activities out of fear for personal safety.The conflict in Kordofan is likely to intensify as both parties seek control over the resource-rich region, which is administratively divided into North, South, and West Kordofan.
Martha Pobee, an assistant UN secretary-general for Africa, warned that large-scale atrocities have been committed by the RSF, including reprisals against alleged collaborators, often motivated by ethnicity.These actions mirror patterns seen in Darfur, where the RSF is accused of genocide, mass killings, sexual violence, and abductions targeting non-Arab communities.
Both the RSF and the army are facing war crimes allegations.
The United States has concluded that members of the RSF and allied militias have committed genocide in Sudan.Despite these accusations, international action on Sudan remains largely muted, with peace efforts failing so far.
The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced nearly 12 million people, and created the world’s largest displacement and hunger crises.
This development comes as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continue to consolidate their control and deploy forces along new front lines.The central Kordofan region is strategically significant due to its location between Darfur provinces and Khartoum, the capital.
Recent weeks have seen this area become a new battleground in the ongoing two-year war between Sudan’s army and the RSF.
The conflict has intensified after the RSF took control of El-Fasher, which was the last stronghold of the army in Darfur.To challenge the pro-army government based in Port Sudan, the RSF has established a rival administration in El-Fasher.
According to a UN statement released on Sunday, approximately 36,825 people have fled five localities in North Kordofan between October 26 and 31 due to the escalating violence.Residents reported a significant increase in military activity in North Kordofan, with both RSF and army forces reportedly deployed across various towns and villages.
The army and RSF are vying for control of El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, which serves as an important logistics and command hub linking Darfur to Khartoum and hosting an airport.
The RSF claimed control over Bara, a city north of El-Obeid, last week.Civilians are increasingly fearful of potential clashes between the two forces.
Suleiman Babiker from Um Smeima, west of El-Obeid, stated that there has been an increase in RSF vehicles since their takeover of El-Fasher.
This has led to a suspension of agricultural activities out of fear for personal safety.The conflict in Kordofan is likely to intensify as both parties seek control over the resource-rich region, which is administratively divided into North, South, and West Kordofan.
Martha Pobee, an assistant UN secretary-general for Africa, warned that large-scale atrocities have been committed by the RSF, including reprisals against alleged collaborators, often motivated by ethnicity.These actions mirror patterns seen in Darfur, where the RSF is accused of genocide, mass killings, sexual violence, and abductions targeting non-Arab communities.
Both the RSF and the army are facing war crimes allegations.
The United States has concluded that members of the RSF and allied militias have committed genocide in Sudan.Despite these accusations, international action on Sudan remains largely muted, with peace efforts failing so far.
The conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives, displaced nearly 12 million people, and created the world’s largest displacement and hunger crises.
