A humanitarian crisis is worsening in Sudan's Kordofan region as fighting continues between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
The escalation threatens the survival of thousands of civilians who lack access to basic necessities while critical infrastructure remains under attack.
Approximately 200,000 people have been displaced in the Kordofan region [1]. The displacement is driven by ongoing clashes between the national army and the RSF, which have devastated local communities since late 2023 [1].
Recent military operations have seen drone attacks target critical water and electricity infrastructure [3]. These strikes have crippled the ability of the city of el-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, to provide essential services to its remaining population [3].
The Sudanese army has reopened the highway linking Khartoum with el-Obeid [2]. This route was reopened in early 2024 to facilitate the movement of supplies into the besieged city [2].
Despite the open highway, the security situation remains volatile. The RSF still hold positions to the south and west of el-Obeid [1]. This positioning allows the paramilitary force to maintain pressure on the city and potentially disrupt the flow of humanitarian aid.
The United Nations has reported on the growing impact of the conflict in the region [1]. The combination of displacement, and the destruction of utility networks, has created a precarious environment for civilians caught between the two warring factions.
“Around 200,000 people have been displaced in the Kordofan region”
The reopening of the Khartoum-el-Obeid highway provides a theoretical lifeline for the region, but the strategic positioning of the RSF and the targeting of utility infrastructure suggest that logistical access does not equal humanitarian stability. The crisis in Kordofan illustrates a broader pattern in the Sudanese conflict where critical civilian infrastructure is used as a tactical target, compounding the effects of displacement.
