Kordofan Crisis: Thousands Flee Intensified Fighting in Sudan, Seek Haven in El Obeid

The Kordofan region of Sudan is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis as tens of thousands of its residents are uprooted by intensifying hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The escalating conflict has forced a mass exodus, with civilians desperately seeking safety from the relentless violence gripping the area.

The city of El Obeid, perceived as a relatively secure haven amidst the widespread turmoil, has become a primary destination for those fleeing. In a single week alone, more than 5,000 families have arrived in El Obeid, according to reports from the ground. These new arrivals contribute to the growing number of displaced persons across the wider Kordofan region, all grappling with the immediate aftermath of conflict and the uncertainty of their future.

This surge in displacement underscores the devastating human cost of Sudan's ongoing civil war, which has plunged the nation into a profound humanitarian catastrophe since April 2023. The conflict, pitting the regular army against the powerful RSF, has caused widespread death, destruction, and internal displacement, creating one of the world's most severe refugee crises. For East African nations, the continued instability in Sudan poses significant challenges, including the potential for increased refugee flows and regional security concerns.

As the fighting shows no signs of abating, the humanitarian situation for those trapped in Kordofan, and for the thousands now reliant on strained resources in El Obeid, remains dire. The international community continues to call for a cessation of hostilities and unhindered access for humanitarian aid. Al Jazeera's Almigdad Alruhaid reported on these developments from El Obeid on August 23, 2026.