The United Nations reported on Thursday that more than 136,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in Sudan’s southeastern Sennar state after paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched attacks on several towns. This recent displacement adds to the nearly 10 million people already displaced by Sudan’s brutal 15-month war.
The RSF’s offensive began in late June with a campaign to seize control of Sennar, a key trading hub in the region. The violence quickly escalated, engulfing the smaller towns of Sinjah and al-Dinder. This outbreak of fighting triggered a mass exodus of civilians who fled towards the neighboring states of al-Gedaref and Blue Nile, seeking safety.
Desperate Exodus Across the Blue Nile
Images shared on social media platforms captured the desperate situation faced by those fleeing the violence. The images showed people of all ages, including women, children, and elderly individuals, wading across the swollen Blue Nile River carrying whatever belongings they could manage.
Local activists in the receiving states paint a grim picture of the conditions faced by the newly displaced populations. In Gedaref, the state capital, activists report a severe lack of shelter and food aid for the influx of refugees. Many are forced to take refuge in the city’s main market, lacking basic necessities like tents or blankets. The situation is further complicated by the government’s decision to empty schools that had been serving as displacement centers, leaving many with nowhere to go.
The UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that a staggering 136,130 people have been displaced within Sennar state alone since the attacks began. This number is particularly concerning because Sennar was already hosting more than 285,000 people displaced from previous conflicts in Khartoum and al-Gezira states. The IOM reports indicate that many of those fleeing now have likely faced displacement for the second or even third time in their lives, highlighting the immense human cost of the ongoing war.
Violence Spreads in Darfur Region
The violence is not confined to Sennar state. Local activists in Darfur report that at least 12 civilians were killed by artillery fire that struck a livestock market in al-Fashir on Wednesday. The city has been the epicenter of months-long clashes between the RSF, the Sudanese army, and allied rebel groups.
The fighting in al-Fashir has displaced tens of thousands of people westward towards Tawila and Jebel Mara, areas controlled by a major rebel group led by Abdelwahid al-Nur. In a move aimed at de-escalating the violence, al-Nur offered on Thursday to deploy his troops to secure al-Fashir if both the government forces and rebel groups agree to withdraw from the city.
In a statement, Nur argued that a ceasefire and the withdrawal of armed forces would allow al-Fashir, along with the nearby Zamzam camp, to resume their critical roles as humanitarian aid hubs. These areas are among 14 locations flagged by monitors as facing imminent famine conditions.
The Sudanese army has not yet responded to al-Nur’s proposal. However, an RSF source indicated that the paramilitary force is receptive to the idea in principle and expressed hope that the army and allied forces would agree to withdraw from the city.
International Community Urges Action
The international community has expressed growing concern about the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Sudan. The UN warns of a potential famine in Darfur and other conflict-affected areas, with over 20 million people already facing severe hunger. Moreover, Aid agencies are urging for a ceasefire and unimpeded access to deliver humanitarian assistance to those in need.
The ongoing war in Sudan has resulted in a devastating humanitarian crisis. The recent displacement in Sennar and the continued violence in Darfur highlight the urgent need for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Moreover, the international community must step up its efforts to pressure all parties involved in the fighting to lay down arms and prioritize the safety and well-being of Sudanese civilians.
Source: ReutersÂ
