Escalating violence in Sudan, particularly in the Kordofan region, is endangering civilians and causing new waves of displacement, according to a UN spokesperson. Between October 25 and December 30, around 65,000 individuals were displaced from various locations in Kordofan. Displacement has surged in South Kordofan state recently, with nearly 1,000 people fleeing due to violence between December 31, 2025, and January 4 this year.
On Monday, another 2,000 individuals were forced to leave Um Dam Haj Ahmed locality in North Kordofan state. Additionally, a drone attack in El Obeid, the state’s capital, reportedly resulted in the deaths of 13 civilians, including children. The UN is urgently calling for a halt to hostilities and the protection of civilians, emphasizing the critical need for swift, safe, and sustained humanitarian access for aiding those affected.
Sudan has been grappling with armed conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 15, 2023. Initially, the RSF gained control over Khartoum and expanded into Darfur, but by early 2024, the tide shifted in favor of the Sudanese army. By March 2025, the army had regained control of most of Khartoum.
The conflict erupted due to escalating disputes between SAF and RSF over a framework agreement, leading to intense fighting on April 15, 2023. This conflict has resulted in the displacement of over 15 million people, both within and outside Sudan, as per the International Organization for Migration.
