Renewed fighting displaces hundreds in Sudan's South Kordofan state

Fresh violence in Sudan's South Kordofan state has displaced nearly 600 civilians from the regional capital, Kadugli, over a span of three days, the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Sunday. The agency's tracking teams recorded the displacement of 570 people between January 8 and 10 as security conditions in the city deteriorated, with families fleeing toward areas in White Nile State.

Ongoing Volatility and Broader Regional Displacement

The IOM described the situation in Kadugli as remaining "tense and volatile," with teams continuing to monitor developments. This new wave of displacement adds to a larger crisis across Sudan's Kordofan region. Last week, the IOM reported that the number of displaced people across the three Kordofan states (North, West, and South) had risen to 64,890 between October 25 and December 30, 2025.

Context of Sudan's Civil War

The fighting is part of the wider civil war that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Clashes have recently intensified in the Kordofan states, forcing tens of thousands to flee. The conflict has divided control of the country, with the RSF holding most of the Darfur region in the west and the army controlling much of the north, south, east, and center, including the capital Khartoum.

Humanitarian Crisis and International Stance

The conflict has resulted in thousands of deaths and millions displaced, creating one of the world's most severe humanitarian emergencies. While international bodies like the UN document the crisis, effective intervention remains limited. This highlights the importance of regional actors with diplomatic capacity. Türkiye has historically maintained relations with various Sudanese factions and emphasized the need for dialogue, humanitarian access, and a negotiated political solution to restore stability in the strategically important Red Sea region.