The International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported on Sunday that more than 55,000 people have been displaced from the city of Sennar and neighboring villages in Sennar State, South Sudan, due to ongoing clashes between the army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
According to a statement from IOM cited by “Sudan News,” armed clashes between the Sudanese army and the RSF have continued to spread across Sennar State, with reported skirmishes in the city of Sennar.
Field teams revealed that approximately 55,440 individuals have been displaced from the city of Sennar and nearby villages, as well as various locations in Abu Hajar and Al-Dali areas in Sennar State, due to escalating security concerns.
Additionally, around 50,000 people have fled to areas within Gedaref State.
In the same context, another 5,000 individuals have moved to Al-Damazin in Blue Nile State, and approximately 440 people have been displaced to Al-Jabalain in White Nile State.
The IOM emphasized that “the situation remains tense and unpredictable.”
This comes after the Sudanese army announced that its forces were engaged in battles in the city of Sennar, the capital of Sennar State, located in the southern part of the country, which is experiencing a significant wave of civilian displacement.
Sennar city is about 60 kilometers from Sennar, the largest city in Sennar State, which recently witnessed an attack by the RSF.
The RSF claimed last Saturday that it had taken control of the headquarters of the 17th Infantry Division of the Sudanese army in the city of Sennar.
The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF has been ongoing since mid-April 2023, resulting in the deaths of approximately 15,000 people and the displacement of around 8.5 million refugees and internally displaced persons, according to the United Nations.