NEW YORK – The United Nations on Tuesday expressed deep concern over the intensifying violence in Sudan, particularly in North and West Kordofan States, where recent attacks have left hundreds dead and displaced thousands.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), attacks between Thursday and Sunday on villages near Bara in North Kordofan reportedly killed at least 300 people, including children and pregnant women. Numerous others were injured, with homes looted and set ablaze, forcing families to flee. OCHA noted that communication disruptions have made it difficult to verify the full extent of casualties.
In addition to these incidents, renewed shelling in El-Obeid, the state capital, has further heightened insecurity. Meanwhile, in West Kordofan, more than 20 people were reportedly killed in assaults on the villages of Al-Fulah and Abu Zabad, including an airstrike that hit a school sheltering displaced civilians. Humanitarian operations in the region have also been impacted.
“These incidents are yet another tragic reminder of the relentless toll the conflict is taking on civilians across Sudan,” OCHA said, reiterating that civilians and civilian infrastructure, such as schools and shelters, must not be targeted. The office urged all parties to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.
The worsening situation has led to increased displacement, with people fleeing North Kordofan and the besieged city of El Fasher in North Darfur to other parts of the country, including Northern State. More than 3,000 displaced individuals have arrived in Ad-Dabbah locality since June, stretching limited resources.
Compounding the crisis, heavy rains and strong winds in eastern Sudan damaged shelters and food supplies for around 2,700 displaced people in Gedaref. Although many of the affected wish to return home, they require substantial support to do so.
Despite more than 1.3 million displaced persons returning to their areas of origin since November 2024, living conditions remain dire. OCHA continues to call for urgent and increased international support, warning that Sudan’s 2025 humanitarian response plan is currently only 23 percent funded
