Sudan crisis deepens as thousands flee RSF attacks in Darfur

Sudan’s Humanitarian Aid Commissioner has reported that tens of thousands of civilians are fleeing North Darfur and North Kordofan as attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces continue to escalate. Commissioner Salwa Adam Benia confirmed that displaced populations are seeking refuge in cities including Dongola in Northern State and El-Obeid in North Kordofan, with numbers rising daily amid intense fighting across the region.

Türkiye’s Humanitarian Support

Benia made the statements following a meeting in Port Sudan with Turkish Ambassador Fatih Yıldız and AFAD Deputy President Hamza Taşdelen. She expressed deep appreciation for Türkiye’s assistance, stating, “On behalf of the Sudanese people, I thank Türkiye and its organizations for reaching us in this difficult time when we are in dire need of genuine support.” The meeting highlighted Türkiye’s ongoing humanitarian engagement in Sudan amid the worsening crisis.

Scale of Displacement

The commissioner revealed that El-Obeid city alone has received more than 175,000 displaced people from the three Kordofan states over the past month. Displacement has also extended to eastern Sudanese states including Gadaref and Kassala, where over 3,000 displaced individuals have recently arrived. The massive population movements reflect the expanding geographic impact of the conflict between the Sudanese army and RSF forces.

Conflict Background

The humanitarian crisis continues to deepen more than a year after fighting erupted between the Sudanese military and the Rapid Support Forces on April 15, 2023. Despite multiple regional and international mediation attempts, the conflict has resulted in thousands of fatalities and displaced millions of Sudanese civilians, creating one of the world's most severe displacement crises.