Sudan Conflict Displaces Nearly 600 from Kulbus Near Chad Border
The Sudan conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces continues to drive displacement, armed clashes, resource looting, and economic activities that sustain the fighting, now in its fourth year.
Overview of the Ongoing Conflict
The conflict between Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, now in its fourth year, has displaced millions and devastated much of the country. [5] The ongoing conflict in Sudan between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) continues to drive displacement, armed clashes, resource looting, and economic activities that sustain the fighting, now in its fourth year. Profits from sectors such as gum arabic production are helping sustain the civil war. [5]
Recent Displacement Due to Insecurity
Insecurity displaces nearly 600 people from Sudan's Kulbus near Chad border, UN migration agency reports. — Source: anadolu Insecurity has displaced nearly 600 people from Kulbus in Sudan's far west near the border with Chad. [2] Kulbus lies in Sudan's far west near border with Chad. [2] The UN migration agency reported the displacement due to insecurity in the area. [2]
Military Developments in Darfur
Army-allied groups have recaptured the strategic Orshi Reservoir area in Darfur from the RSF. [3] The reservoir is a key water source for Ambro locality facing severe shortages. [3] Orshi Reservoir is strategically and humanitarianly important as it serves as key water source for Ambro locality, where residents face severe water shortages. [3]
Clashes and Casualties in Northern Sudan
Army-allied groups recapture strategic Orshi Reservoir area in Sudan’s Darfur from RSF. — Source: anadolu Armed clashes in a local market in Al-Dabbah city in northern Sudan killed 8 people and injured 16. [4] Clashes erupt in local market in Al-Dabbah city, medical group says. [4] The incidents were reported by a medical group monitoring the situation. [4]
Impact on Infrastructure and Livelihoods
A building damage assessment was conducted in El Obeid, North Kordofan State. [1] Republic of Sudan - North Kordofan State: El Obeid Building Damage Assessment (12 May 2026). [1] The report covers the situation in the area as of 12 May 2026. [1] In addition, the RSF looting of the Gum Arabic Exchange and warehouses in El-Nuhud in May 2025 affected local livelihoods. [5]
UN Warnings on Gum Arabic Trade
Sudan produces around 80% of the world's gum arabic. [5] The UN reports that significant amounts taken from RSF-controlled areas are smuggled into neighboring countries and exported as local products. [5] Some gum arabic from Sudanese Armed Forces areas is sent to Port Sudan for export. [5] The United Nations human rights office called on states, businesses and parties linked to Sudan's globally relevant gum arabic industry to uphold international law. [5] The report highlighted that people working in the trade have faced threats to their safety and suffered large-scale looting, including by parties to the conflict. [5] UN human rights chief Volker Turk urged companies to ensure they are not contributing to adverse human rights impacts or sustaining the conflict, stating that companies cannot continue business as usual when sourcing from conflict-affected value chains. [5]
What to watch next: Continued displacement from areas like Kulbus, further shifts around key sites such as the Orshi Reservoir, and developments in the gum arabic trade involving smuggling and due diligence efforts.
