Nearly 65,000 Displaced in Sudan's Kordofan States as Army-RSF Clashes Intensify
KHARTOUM, Sudan — Nearly 65,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in Sudan's three Kordofan states amid weeks of intense fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the United Nations reported on January 5, 2026. The displacement, triggered by escalating insecurity since early January, underscores the deepening humanitarian crisis in the war-torn country.
The UN's humanitarian update highlighted the scale of the exodus in North, South, and West Kordofan, regions that have become new flashpoints in Sudan's protracted civil war. Fierce clashes between the SAF, loyal to army chief General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti), have displaced tens of thousands over recent weeks. Many families have sought refuge in safer areas within the states or crossed into neighboring regions, exacerbating an already strained displacement network.
Escalating Violence in Kordofan
The violence in Kordofan erupted prominently around January 1, 2026, marking a high-severity escalation in the ongoing conflict. Anadolu Agency, citing UN data, reported that the fighting has involved heavy artillery exchanges and ground assaults, disrupting access to basic services and essential supplies. Local communities, already vulnerable due to prior instability, face acute risks of food shortages, disease outbreaks, and further violence.
Kordofan, a vast central Sudanese region rich in oil and agriculture, has seen sporadic clashes since the war's outset but experienced a surge in hostilities in late 2025 and early 2026. The RSF, which originated from Darfur's Janjaweed militias, has expanded its operations into Kordofan to challenge SAF control over key supply routes and resources. SAF forces, backed by allied militias, have responded with counteroffensives, leading to a cycle of advances and retreats that has devastated civilian infrastructure.
UN agencies, including the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), have documented the rapid displacement figures, noting that verification efforts continue amid access challenges. Humanitarian convoys have struggled to reach affected areas due to active combat zones and damaged roads.
Background: Sudan's Civil War Enters Third Year
Sudan's conflict traces back to April 15, 2023, when power-sharing tensions between the SAF and RSF — once allies in the 2021 military coup against the civilian transitional government — boiled over into open warfare. What began as clashes in Khartoum has evolved into a nationwide struggle, with fighting spreading to Darfur, Gezira, Sennar, and now intensified in Kordofan.
The war has claimed tens of thousands of lives, with credible estimates from groups like the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (ACLED) placing the death toll above 20,000 by late 2025. Over 12 million people remain displaced internally, while more than 3 million have fled to neighboring Chad, Egypt, and South Sudan, according to UNHCR figures. Khartoum, once the political heart, lies largely in ruins, with both sides claiming territorial gains but failing to achieve decisive victory.
Kordofan's strategic importance cannot be overstated. The states host significant oil fields and serve as a gateway between Khartoum and Darfur, where RSF strongholds persist. Prior to 2026, the region saw RSF incursions in 2024 and SAF reinforcements in 2025, but the current offensive represents one of the most sustained battles outside major urban centers.
The humanitarian toll is catastrophic. The UN has warned of famine risks across Sudan, with 25.6 million people — half the population — facing acute food insecurity as of December 2025. In Kordofan, aid organizations like the World Food Programme (WFP) have scaled up emergency distributions, but funding shortfalls limit responses. Cholera outbreaks and malnutrition rates have spiked, particularly among children.
International efforts for peace have faltered. Mediation by the United States, Saudi Arabia, and the African Union has yielded fragile truces, such as the Jeddah talks in 2023, but violations persist. The RSF's control of gold mines in Darfur funds its war machine, while SAF receives support from Egypt and possibly other regional actors, complicating diplomacy.
Outlook: Mounting Humanitarian Imperative
As clashes in Kordofan continue, the UN has appealed for urgent ceasefires to allow aid delivery and civilian evacuations. "The displacement of nearly 65,000 people in such a short period demands immediate international attention," the report emphasized, calling for safe corridors and increased funding.
Sudan's war shows no signs of abating, with both factions entrenched in a battle for survival. Neighboring countries brace for spillover effects, including refugee influxes and cross-border raids. Global leaders, including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, have reiterated calls for accountability over alleged atrocities, including ethnic massacres in Darfur reminiscent of the 2003-2005 genocide.
The Kordofan crisis amplifies Sudan's status as one of the world's worst humanitarian emergencies, where immediate action is critical to avert further loss of life. Without de-escalation, the cycle of violence threatens to engulf more regions, prolonging suffering for millions.
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