Thousands flee Kordofan fighting, seek safety in El Obeid

Thousands of residents have fled the escalating clashes in Sudan’s Kordofan region, seeking refuge in the provincial capital of El Obeid, where they hope to find relative safety. The displacement follows intensified fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces that began in early May, prompting residents of towns such as Al‑Ubayyid, El‑Obeid’s surrounding districts, and other conflict‑affected localities to abandon their homes. Humanitarian agencies estimate that the exodus has added several thousand people to the city’s already strained population, overwhelming local shelters and basic services.

Aid groups and local authorities report that the influx has heightened demand for food, water, and medical assistance, while security checkpoints around El Obeid remain active to monitor movements and prevent further violence from spilling into the city. The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has called for increased funding to support emergency response efforts, emphasizing the need for safe corridors and additional shelter capacity. As fighting continues in Kordofan, officials warn that displacement numbers could rise, underscoring the importance of sustained humanitarian aid and protection measures for those seeking safety in El Obeid.