Intense Clashes in South and West Sudan
Fierce fighting in southern and western Sudan has claimed at least 65 lives and left more than 130 wounded.
In South Kordofan, artillery strikes on the state capital, Kadugli, killed at least 40 people and injured 70. The attack, allegedly carried out by the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N) led by Abdel Aziz al-Hilu, targeted a bustling local market. Governor Mohamed Ibrahim condemned the assault, vowing to drive rebel forces from the surrounding mountains, calling the attack an attempt to destabilize the region. The SPLM-N has been engaged in ongoing clashes with both the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Meanwhile, in Darfur, a military airstrike on Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, resulted in 25 deaths and 63 injuries. The RSF accused the army of deploying "barrel bombs" against civilians in multiple neighbourhoods. Nyala, currently under RSF control, is located 195 kilometres from El-Fasher—the besieged capital of North Darfur and the army’s last stronghold in the region.
El-Fasher, home to nearly two million people, has witnessed some of the most intense fighting as government forces struggle to maintain control. The UN's migration agency reported that between April 2024 and January 2025, over 600,000 people were displaced from North Darfur. The International Organization for Migration documented 95 incidents in the state, with more than half occurring in El-Fasher, leading to the displacement of approximately 605,257 individuals.
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