Sudan: About 3,650 people displaced from Umm Bader amid rising security tensions

About 3,650 people have been displaced from Umm Bader town in Sudan’s North Kordofan state over three days due to deteriorating security conditions in the area, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Tuesday.

The displaced people have moved towards Sheikan locality in North Kordofan and the city of Omdurman, west of the capital Khartoum. The IOM said security conditions in the area remained tense and volatile and that it was continuing to monitor developments closely.

The displacement followed allegations by the Dar Hamar Emergency Committee, a local civil society group, that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) killed five civilians and wounded 27 others in an attack on the Umm Bader market on Monday.

The committee said RSF forces entered the market and looted gold shops and other businesses. The RSF had not immediately commented on the allegations.

Separately, the Sudan Emergency Lawyers Committee said on Monday that the town of Jabra Al Sheikh in North Kordofan was witnessing widespread displacement amid RSF military build-up and military operations around the area.

Several parts of North Kordofan have also seen increased military activity as the Sudanese army advances into areas previously held by the RSF in the northern and western parts of the state.

Local reports said military build-ups and movements were continuing around Umm Bader, Sodari and other areas of the state.