Addressing the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva on Friday, Türk described the developments in North Kordofan as a “red alert,” urging world leaders to intensify diplomatic efforts to prevent additional violence against civilians. According to the Associated Press, the warning came during an emergency debate convened by the council as fighting intensifies around the strategically important city.

Concerns Grow Over Civilian Protection

Türk told council members that conditions in and around el-Obeid point to a worsening human rights emergency, saying civilians remain caught between Sudan’s armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

He urged governments to prioritize efforts aimed at preventing further atrocities not only in el-Obeid but across the wider Kordofan region, where violence has continued despite repeated international appeals for restraint.

According to Türk, communities around the city have endured prolonged insecurity, including months of severe restrictions and repeated drone attacks linked to the ongoing fighting.

Human Rights Council Considers New Resolution

The emergency session comes as the Human Rights Council considers a draft resolution introduced by Britain, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway.

The proposed measure condemns the escalating violence attributed to the RSF and allied groups in and around el-Obeid, calls for increased international assistance to countries hosting Sudanese refugees and denounces external interference in Sudan’s conflict.

Council members are expected to continue discussions on the draft as concerns mount over the humanitarian situation.

Conflict Continues Into Fourth Year

Sudan’s war began in April 2023 following a power struggle between the Sudanese military and the RSF after months of political tensions.

According to figures cited by the Associated Press, the conflict has killed at least 59,000 people, displaced approximately 13 million, and contributed to famine conditions in several parts of the country. More than 30 million people now require humanitarian assistance.

Strategic City Faces Renewed Threat

The Sudanese military lifted a siege of el-Obeid in February 2025 after more than a year of isolation. Since then, the RSF has launched multiple offensives aimed at regaining control of the surrounding area and reimposing pressure on the city.

The United Nations and several governments have expressed concern over reports that RSF forces are reinforcing positions near el-Obeid, a city with an estimated population of around 500,000.

Humanitarian Conditions Continue to Deteriorate

The Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights has warned that repeated attacks on critical infrastructure have sharply reduced access to food, fuel, clean water, healthcare and transportation for civilians living in and around el-Obeid.

As diplomatic efforts continue, international officials have stressed that preventing further civilian suffering will require increased humanitarian support alongside renewed efforts to de-escalate the conflict.

Tags: Sudan, el-Obeid, United Nations, Volker Türk, Human Rights Council, Rapid Support Forces, Sudan Conflict, North Kordofan, Humanitarian Crisis, Africa, War, Civilians

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The IOM reported that civilians fled from several towns and villages near Bara in North Kordofan province between Friday and Sunday, amid escalating clashes between the Sudanese army and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

North Kordofan and the neighboring Darfur region have become the latest epicenters of Sudan’s war, which has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions since it erupted in April 2023.

Escalating Violence and Mass Displacement

The IOM said that nearly 39,000 people have fled from multiple towns in North Kordofan since October 26, following a series of RSF attacks. Most displaced residents are heading toward Khartoum, Omdurman, and Sheikan, seeking safety despite ongoing instability in those areas.

The violence in Kordofan follows the RSF’s capture of el-Fasher, the last major city in Darfur not under its control. The takeover left hundreds dead and forced tens of thousands to flee to overcrowded camps amid reports of mass atrocities, according to aid groups and U.N. officials.

The World Health Organization estimates that at least 40,000 people have been killed and 12 million displaced since the conflict began, though humanitarian groups warn the real toll could be far higher.

Mass Killings and Cover-Ups in Darfur

In Darfur, reports of war crimes continue to mount. The Sudan Doctors Network said Sunday that RSF fighters collected hundreds of bodies from the streets of el-Fasher, burying some in mass graves and burning others in what the group described as an effort to conceal evidence of atrocities.

Satellite images analyzed by Vantor, a Colorado-based firm, appear to confirm these reports. Images taken last week showed fires burning near the Saudi Hospital in el-Fasher, close to what analysts identified as a cluster of possible human remains.

Researchers at the Yale School of Public Health’s Humanitarian Research Lab said the images likely depict “the burning of objects that may be consistent with bodies.”

Attacks Spread to West Kordofan

Meanwhile, the RSF claimed Monday that its fighters had entered Babanusa, a strategic town in West Kordofan province, and were advancing toward the army’s regional headquarters.

Local volunteer Salah Semsaya, part of the Emergency Response Rooms network, told the Associated Press that aid kitchens in Babanusa had seen a sharp decline in families seeking food, suggesting many residents have fled. However, official displacement figures have not been confirmed.

A Nation in Collapse

Sudan’s war began after tensions erupted between Gen. Abdel Fattah Burhan, head of the army, and Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), commander of the RSF — former allies who jointly seized power in a 2021 coup.

Their power struggle has since plunged Sudan into one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises, leaving large parts of the country without functioning government institutions, food supplies, or medical services.

Despite repeated calls from the United Nations, African Union, and regional mediators for a cease-fire, both sides continue to fight for territorial control, especially over resource-rich and strategic regions such as Darfur and Kordofan.

Source: AP News – Intense fighting in central Sudan displaces 2,000 people in just days, a UN agency says

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Sudan’s brutal conflict has entered its third year, leaving more than 150,000 dead and millions displaced. What began as a power struggle between two generals has evolved into a proxy battleground shaped by competing regional and international interests. Nations including the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Russia have been accused of fueling the crisis — each seeking influence over one of Africa’s most strategically important nations.

The Complex Web Behind Sudan’s War

The fighting in Sudan, initially viewed as an internal clash between rival generals, has been exacerbated by outside actors. The war pits the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, against the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as Hemedti.

The Rapid Support Forces’ recent capture of the Darfur city of El Fasher, followed by reports of mass civilian killings, drew widespread international outrage. Amid growing pressure, the RSF agreed to a humanitarian truce proposed by the “Quad” countries — the United States, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. However, the ceasefire has yet to halt the violence or address the deeper problem: the murky involvement of several foreign powers whose interests extend beyond Sudan’s borders.

Sudan’s geography makes it a strategic prize. The country bridges Africa and the Middle East, commands more than 500 miles of Red Sea coastline along a vital global shipping route, and holds vast gold reserves and fertile land. It also influences the flow of the Blue Nile, making it pivotal in the region’s water diplomacy.

Foreign Stakes in Sudan’s Future

According to Charles Ray, a retired U.S. diplomat and chair of the Africa Program at the Foreign Policy Research Institute, “Whoever controls Sudan is in a position to have influence in the broader region — the Horn of Africa as well as sub-Saharan Africa.” That influence has drawn in powerful regional players with competing agendas.

United Arab Emirates: Alleged Arms and Gold Connections

The United Arab Emirates has faced repeated allegations of arming Hemedti’s RSF, despite firm denials from Emirati officials. Human rights groups and UN investigators have traced weapons found in Darfur to shipments linked to companies based in the UAE.

Washington’s Treasury Department sanctioned several of these companies, saying they were tied to Hemedti and his family, including brothers Algoney and Abdul Rahim Dagalo, for providing weapons and financing the RSF through gold exports to Dubai. The UAE has dismissed the allegations as “fake news,” claiming it supports only peace and civilian rule in Sudan.

UAE adviser Anwar Gargash recently admitted that the international community made a “mistake” by not intervening more decisively when Sudan’s civilian government was toppled in 2021. Still, experts say Abu Dhabi’s ambitions go beyond stability.

Khalil al-Anani, a Georgetown University scholar, noted that the UAE’s interests are partly economic — targeting Sudan’s agriculture and gold — but also political. “The UAE does not want to see a successful democratic transition in Sudan,” he said, linking its actions to a broader campaign against post–Arab Spring movements.

Amnesty International and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute have also cited Chinese-made howitzers found in Darfur that could only have been imported via the UAE, though Emirati officials dispute this. Despite repeated inquiries, the UN’s most recent report omitted specific findings about the UAE’s involvement, raising questions about diplomatic pressure behind the scenes.

Egypt: Security and the Nile Factor

Egypt, sharing deep historical and geographic ties with Sudan, has backed al-Burhan’s Sudanese Armed Forces. President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, a former general who seized power in 2013, has provided diplomatic support to the SAF, hosting multiple meetings with Sudanese military officials and reaffirming Cairo’s commitment to Sudan’s sovereignty.

Experts say Egypt’s motives are driven by security and water politics. “Egypt is involved mainly due to national-security concerns, particularly the implications of Sudan’s instability on the Nile River,” al-Anani said. The Nile provides 90% of Egypt’s freshwater, and instability in Sudan could jeopardize Cairo’s position in its ongoing dispute with Ethiopia over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam.

Egypt also fears a democratic Sudan could embolden opposition movements at home. Moreover, the war has forced tens of thousands of Sudanese refugees into Egypt, compounding the country’s economic strain.

Saudi Arabia: Seeking Stability Along the Red Sea

Saudi Arabia has taken a more cautious approach, calling for a Sudanese-led solution and co-hosting peace talks with the United States. Nonetheless, analysts suggest Riyadh leans toward supporting al-Burhan’s military faction.

Riyadh’s key concern lies in maintaining stability along the Red Sea, a vital artery for global trade and central to Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s Vision 2030 development plan. Saudi Arabia has also leveraged its position as a humanitarian actor, coordinating large-scale evacuations of civilians and foreign nationals during the early stages of the conflict.

Former U.S. diplomat Charles Ray said Riyadh’s role also reflects competition with regional powers. “There are economic benefits to being involved in Africa, but also strategic rivalry — Saudi Arabia doesn’t want to be outpaced by the UAE or Russia,” he noted.

Russia: Gold, Bases, and Wagner’s Shadow

While focused on its war in Ukraine, Russia has quietly deepened its presence in Sudan. U.S. officials accuse Moscow of “playing both sides of the conflict to advance its own political objectives.”

The Wagner Group, the now-restructured Russian mercenary network, had long provided military support to the RSF in exchange for access to Sudan’s gold mines. Wagner operatives were also accused of smuggling weapons through Libya and the Central African Republic.

After Wagner’s failed mutiny in 2023 and the death of its leader Yevgeny Prigozhin, the Kremlin sought direct control over these operations. Meanwhile, Moscow has negotiated with al-Burhan’s government for a Red Sea naval base in Port Sudan, a move seen as part of its broader strategy to expand influence in Africa.

Sudan: A Nation Torn by Proxy Interests

Experts agree that Sudan’s conflict has evolved beyond domestic rivalry. “There is no neutral actor in the Sudanese conflict,” said al-Anani. “Every party intervenes to pursue its own goals. Controlling Sudan means controlling access to the sub-Saharan region.”

Years of war have devastated the nation’s institutions, crippled its economy, and deepened human suffering. With millions displaced and famine looming, the country remains vulnerable to manipulation by external powers that see opportunity in its instability.

Despite international mediation, Sudan’s future hinges not only on peace between its warring factions but on whether the global powers competing over its territory can restrain their ambitions long enough to let the country heal.

Source: CNN – Sudan’s bloody conflict is plagued by foreign influence – here is what we know

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Published Time: 09-05-2025, 14:30

Sudanese authorities have confirmed the burial of hundreds of victims following a devastating landslide in the Marrah Mountains of Darfur. The disaster, triggered by heavy rainfall, has deepened the country’s ongoing humanitarian crisis, already worsened by war and displacement.

Hundreds of Bodies Recovered, Many Still Trapped

Mujib al-Rahman al-Zubair, head of the Civil Authority in the Liberated Territories, said in a video address shared with the Associated Press that rescue teams and local aid workers had recovered 375 bodies, which were laid to rest in mass burials.

However, he acknowledged that more victims remain trapped under the rubble. “May the victims of this devastating incident receive mercy,” he said as families and volunteers gathered at the site to pray for the dead.

Despite limited resources, al-Zubair pledged that rescue missions would continue, though the lack of heavy equipment has slowed operations.

Death Toll Could Reach 1,000

The landslide struck on August 31 in the village of Tarasin, located in the rugged Marrah Mountains of Darfur. According to Mohamed Abdel-Rahman al-Nair, a spokesperson for the Sudan Liberation Movement-Army, as many as 1,000 people may have died in the disaster.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) offered a similar estimate, while noting that the true scale of the tragedy remains difficult to confirm due to the region’s isolation and damaged infrastructure.

U.N. and Aid Agencies Mobilize

U.N. spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric confirmed that relief efforts are underway, with humanitarian teams launching a rapid assessment mission on Thursday. Due to treacherous terrain, aid workers had to travel part of the journey by donkey to reach affected villages.

According to OCHA, at least 150 people from Tarasin and nearby areas have been displaced. Emergency assistance is being provided for up to 750 residents, including medical kits, food supplies, and mobile health clinics.

International and local NGOs are working alongside U.N. agencies to stabilize the situation, but humanitarian officials have warned that the area urgently requires greater international support.

A Region Prone to Landslides

The Marrah Mountains, which rise more than 3,000 meters (9,840 feet) above sea level, are known for their unique climate and higher rainfall compared to surrounding arid regions. This combination makes the area vulnerable to landslides.

In 2018, a smaller landslide in the region killed at least 19 people and injured dozens, according to the former U.N.-African Union mission in Darfur.

The current disaster, however, has been described as one of the deadliest in recent memory. Al-Nair warned in a statement that the landslide has caused a “catastrophic humanitarian situation” requiring urgent global intervention to prevent further loss of life.

Humanitarian Crisis Deepens in Sudan

Sudan is already facing one of the world’s gravest humanitarian crises due to an ongoing civil war that erupted in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the rival Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The conflict has killed more than 40,000 people and displaced as many as 12 million, according to humanitarian agencies. Millions are struggling with food insecurity, while outbreaks of diseases such as cholera have been reported in multiple regions.

The landslide in Darfur adds yet another layer of tragedy to a nation already devastated by war, famine, and displacement. Aid groups have warned that unless significant assistance reaches the affected communities soon, survivors may face hunger, disease, and prolonged instability.

Calls for Global Support

Humanitarian officials and local leaders are urging the international community to act swiftly. The combination of conflict, natural disasters, and food shortages has stretched Sudan’s already fragile aid system beyond capacity.

As al-Zubair emphasized during his address, the rescue effort continues despite limited resources. “Our people are determined to recover their loved ones, but we cannot do this alone,” he said.

For now, the priority remains recovering the missing, supporting survivors, and ensuring displaced families have access to shelter, food, and medical care.

Conclusion

The Darfur landslide highlights the intersection of natural disaster and humanitarian crisis in Sudan. While authorities and aid organizations race against time, the true death toll may never be fully known. What remains clear is that survivors face a long road to recovery amid ongoing conflict and worsening humanitarian conditions.

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Omdurman, Sudan – The death toll from a Sudanese military aircraft crash in the city of Omdurman has risen to at least 46, officials confirmed Wednesday, making it one of the deadliest plane crashes in Sudan in the past two decades.

Details of the Crash

The Antonov aircraft crashed on Tuesday in a populated district of Omdurman, also injuring at least 10 people, according to the government-run Khartoum Media Office. Initially, the health ministry reported 19 deaths before the toll increased.

The Sudanese military stated that the plane went down while attempting to take off from Wadi Sayidna Air Base, located north of Omdurman. However, authorities have not yet identified the cause of the crash.

Impact on the Community

The crash caused extensive damage, with several homes in the Karrari district of Omdurman affected. Local residents reported hearing loud explosions, and thick clouds of smoke and dust covered parts of the city.

Reports suggest the aircraft was en route to Port Sudan, the stronghold of Sudan’s military-backed government, when it crashed over the Al-Thawra neighborhood.

The Sudan Tribune reported that high-ranking military officers were on board, though the military has not officially confirmed this.

A History of Aviation Disasters in Sudan

Sudan has a troubling aviation safety record, with frequent crashes due to poor maintenance and outdated aircraft.

• 2020: A Russian Antonov An-12 military plane crashed in Darfur, killing 16 people.
• 2003: A Sudan Airways passenger plane crashed into a hillside during an emergency landing, killing 116 people. Only a young boy survived.

Ongoing Civil War & Rising Tensions

Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a notorious paramilitary group. The conflict has led to mass displacement, ethnic violence, and war crimes, especially in the western Darfur region.

Recent clashes have intensified, with the military making advances against the RSF in Khartoum and beyond. On Monday, the RSF claimed responsibility for downing a military aircraft in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur province.

Ongoing Investigations

Authorities continue to investigate the cause of the Omdurman crash, while families mourn the tragic loss of life. As Sudan remains in turmoil, the incident raises further concerns about safety and stability in the war-torn nation.

Stay Updated

Follow for more updates on the investigation and the ongoing crisis in Sudan.

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A deadly attack by a paramilitary group in Sudan’s city of Omdurman has left at least 54 people dead and 158 others wounded, health officials reported on Saturday. The assault on the Sabrein Market was carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary faction engaged in the ongoing civil war against the Sudanese military.

Devastating Impact on Civilians

The Health Ministry confirmed the horrific toll, noting that many of the victims were women and children. The RSF’s shelling caused widespread destruction to both public and private properties in the area. The Sudanese Doctors Syndicate condemned the attack, revealing that one of the shells landed dangerously close to al-Naw hospital, which treated many of the casualties. Despite the overwhelming number of victims, the hospital is struggling with a severe shortage of medical staff, particularly surgeons and nurses.

Civil War Escalates

The attack in Omdurman marks the latest tragic episode in Sudan’s escalating civil war, which began in April 2023 when tensions between the military and RSF exploded into open conflict. The conflict has already claimed over 28,000 lives, forced millions to flee their homes, and led to widespread famine, leaving families in desperate need of survival.

International Condemnation

Sudan’s Culture Minister, Khalid al-Aleisir, denounced the attack, describing it as a “blatant violation of international humanitarian law.” The International Criminal Court is investigating the RSF’s actions, with the United Nations and human rights groups documenting atrocities including ethnically motivated killings and sexual violence.

RSF’s Losses Amid Military Gains

In recent months, the RSF has faced multiple military defeats, losing control of several key areas in the capital, Khartoum, and other regions, while the Sudanese military has regained strategic locations, including the city of Wad Medani and the largest oil refinery.

As the conflict continues to devastate Sudan, humanitarian organizations are warning of worsening conditions, with famine and violence escalating across the country. The U.S. government has accused the RSF of committing genocide, and the international community remains alarmed at the growing scale of violence and suffering.

Source

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