Sudan.. The expansion of fighting drives more than 36,000 to flee from North Kordofan

The International Organization for Migration reported that about 36,000 people have been forced to flee from towns and villages in North Kordofan state in recent days, as fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces escalated following the fall of the city of El Fasher to the Rapid Support Forces at the end of October.

According to the organization's statement, 36,825 people left five areas in the north of the state between October 26 and 31, in one of the largest waves of displacement in recent times since the armed confrontations moved from Darfur towards Kordofan states.

Both parties are seeking to gain control over the city of Al-Obeid, the administrative capital of the state, which is a pivotal point between Darfur and Khartoum, in addition to being an important logistical center with a strategic airport.

North Al-Obeid areas, including Bara, have witnessed extensive military movements from both sides over the past two weeks, amid civilian fears of renewed clashes and their inability to access their farms.

UN Assistant Secretary-General for Africa Martha Pobee warned that North Kordofan may face a scenario similar to Darfur, indicating that continued escalation will worsen the humanitarian situation in a country that is already experiencing one of the largest displacement and hunger crises in the world, with more than 12 million displaced people inside and outside Sudan since the outbreak of war in April 2023.