Kadugli: Thousands of civilians have been displaced in Kadugli and El-Fasher in southern Sudan due to renewed clashes between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said Tuesday.

According to Anadolu Agency, the IOM reported that 3,070 people were displaced from Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan State, between August 6 and 10 due to ongoing conflict, deteriorating economic conditions, and shortages of basic goods. Additionally, 500 individuals were displaced from Abu Shouk camp in El-Fasher locality in North Darfur as a result of heightened insecurity.

The situation remains tense and highly fluid, with grassroots committees such as the Abu Shouk Camp Emergency Room and El-Fasher Resistance Coordination confirming that the camp came under attack by RSF forces on Monday. RSF militants reportedly infiltrated parts of its northern section, leading to accusations of the RSF killing 40 displaced people and injuring 19 others during the attacks.

The RSF, on its part, claimed to have made field gains during Monday's battles in El-Fasher, though it did not provide further details. Meanwhile, Darfur regional governor Minni Arko Minnawi stated on Facebook that the army and the joint forces of armed movements had successfully repelled a major RSF assault on the city.

Currently, in Sudan's 18 states, RSF forces maintain control over parts of North and West Kordofan, pockets in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, and four of the five states of the Darfur region. The ongoing conflict between the army and RSF, which began in April 2023, has resulted in the deaths of more than 20,000 individuals and the displacement of 14 million people, according to the UN and local authorities. However, research from US universities estimates the death toll to be around 130,000.