More than 55,400 individuals have escaped the conflict in Sennar State capital Sinja, fleeing as the battle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) moves southwards. UN agencies have sounded the alarm on the escalating crisis.
According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), a report from the International Organization for Migration Displacement Tracking Matrix (IOM DTM) revealed that the displaced individuals from Sinja have sought refuge in various states like Gedaref, Blue Nile, White Nile, and Kassala.
The clashes, initially sparking in Jebel Moya in Sennar locality on June 26, have rapidly spread to Sinja Town located on the Blue Nile’s west bank. Reports indicate that the RSF forces have taken control of key infrastructure in the area, including military and police headquarters as well as the state government building.
As the situation unfolds, the number of displaced people is expected to rise, with up to 130,000 individuals predicted to flee Sennar State, as per the government’s Humanitarian Aid Commission in Gedaref State. Communication challenges have hindered real-time updates, but OCHA pledges to provide timely information on humanitarian needs and response efforts.