Sudan: Conflict in Sinja, Sennar State - Flash Update No. 01 (As of 1 July 2024) [EN/AR]

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Over 55,400 people flee Sinja Town as conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) spreads to the town.
  • People fleeing Sinja Town have arrived in Gedaref, Blue Nile, White Nile, and Kassala states.
  • Armed men, reportedly including members of the RSF, have ransacked and looted homes and shops and occupied government buildings.
  • Humanitarians in Gedaref have started planning for the arrival of displaced people from Sennar.
  • The World Food Programme (WFP) has enough food and nutrition stocks in Gedaref to meet the needs of 50,000 people.
  • Displacement of civilians from Sennar is taking place at a time when the state governments in Kassala, Gedaref, and Red Sea are reopening schools and relocating IDPs from some schools to other school buildings and gathering sites.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that started in Jebel Moya in Sennar locality, Sennar State on 26 June 2024, spread to the state capital Sinja Town in Sinja locality on 29 June, according to a report from the International Organization for Migration Displacement Tracking Matrix (IOM DTM).

The clashes took place at the military headquarters in Sinja Town and in nearby neighbourhoods. Approximately 55,440 people fled from Sinja Town and the neighbouring localities of Abu Hujar and Ad Dali localities. People fled Sinja Town due to the fighting while people fled Abu Hujar and Ad Dali localities due to security concerns. Most of the families from Sinja and Abu Hujar localities (approximately 50,000 people) took refuge in Ar Rahad locality in Gedaref State; 5,000 people took refuge in various locations across Ed Damazine locality in Blue Nile State; and approximately 440 people took refuge in Aj Jabalain locality in White Nile State.

According to media reports quoting local sources, elements of the RSF ransacked and looted shops, homes, and the main market in Sinja Town. RSF has reportedly taken control of the military headquarters, the main police headquarters, and the state government building. Unverified videos on social media show people leaving the town in vehicles and on foot, carrying few possessions. People fleeing Sinja report that transportation costs have skyrocketed, and vehicles are scarce. There are reports of IDPs taking a hazardous journey to Dinder Town. The UN and partners have not been able to independently verify these reports.

The government’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) in Gedaref State reported that up to about 130,000 people could be expected to flee Sennar State over the coming days. This included 50,000 residents of Sennar State and 80,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Aj Jazirah, Khartoum, Darfur, and Kordofan who were taking refuge in Sennar since mid-April 2023. Displaced people fleeing Sennar State are expected to first move to Gedaref and then onwards to Kassala and Red Sea states. IDPs from Sennar State have already started arriving in Kassala State.

The UN and humanitarian partners in Gedaref have started planning for the arrival of internally displaced people from Sennar. The World Food Programme (WFP) has enough food and nutrition stocks in Gedaref to meet the needs of 50,000 people and can bring in more stocks as needed.

The displacement from Sennar is taking place at a time when the state governments in Kassala, Gedaref, and Red Sea are reopening schools and relocating IDPs from some schools to other school buildings and gathering sites. In Gedaref, government-allocated land identified as relocation sites for IDPs are not ready to receive them. Similarly, the state government is putting pressure on humanitarians to support the relocation of IDP sites and are threatening to close the offices of international NGOs if they cannot provide emergency shelter and other assistance to IDPs.

Previous clashes between SAF and RSF from 26 - 29 June, led to the displacement of approximately 1,455 people from Jebel Moya village in Sennar locality to Aj Jabalain locality in White Nile State, reported IOM DTM.

Reporting information from Sennar State has been affected by local disruptions in communication networks (mobile phones and internet). Further flash updates will be posted as the situation develops and key information arises on humanitarian needs and response.