Fierce conflict in Sudan's Kordofan, over 200,000 people displaced

International Desk. PNN

As conflict intensifies in Sudan's Kordofan region, more than 200,000 people have been newly displaced since late last year. Simultaneously, a series of drone strikes targeting water and power infrastructure in the region's largest city, El Obeid, has further exacerbated the crisis. Compounded by seasonal flooding in North Darfur, the humanitarian catastrophe has deepened, according to the UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM).

On Wednesday, the IOM issued a warning that conflict across various parts of Sudan is forcing families to flee their homes, while essential facilities such as water, electricity, and healthcare are being severely damaged.

IOM Director General Amy Pope stated that the danger signals of the situation can no longer be ignored. Conflict, combined with infrastructure destruction and flooding, is pushing thousands of families far beyond the limits of their resilience.

According to IOM data, the number of displaced persons in Sheikan district, including El Obeid, has surged by 25 percent over the past eight months. Repeated strikes on the city's main power transformer have disrupted electricity supplies, making it difficult to pump water, run hospital operations, and maintain mobile communication networks.

Meanwhile, nearly 78,000 additional people in Blue Nile state and approximately 18,000 people in West Darfur fled their homes during the first half of August, according to the IOM.

In the Tawila area of North Darfur, heavy rainfall has worsened conditions. Approximately 1,350 homes have been damaged, and over 1,000 families have been displaced there.

Since April 2023, a devastating conflict has been raging in Sudan between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). According to UN estimates, approximately 59,000 people have been killed since the war began. Nearly 8.6 million people have been internally displaced, while over 4.2 million have sought refuge in neighboring countries. In total, nearly 33.7 million people require humanitarian assistance.

The city of El Obeid, under the control of the Sudanese army, has also been under siege and attack for an extended period. According to Al Jazeera's report, RSF positions are present in the southern and western parts of the city, with attacks continuing in surrounding villages. Drone strikes have also targeted army vehicles, oil tankers, and cargo trucks.

Before the war, El Obeid had a population of around 700,000. Citing local authorities, the Sudan Tribune reported that the city's population has now swelled to an estimated 3.4 million due to the influx of displaced people seeking shelter from various areas.

The horrific impact of the war is also falling heavily on children. Humanitarian organization Save the Children reported that nearly 39,000 children arrived in El Obeid during the first six months of this year alone.

Conflict, infrastructure destruction, displacement, and natural disasters have combined to render Sudan's crisis increasingly complex. The UN fears that without rapid assistance and security guarantees, the humanitarian plight of a vast population in the country could deteriorate further.