Human Rights Organization for Justice and Development warns of migration of Ethiopians to Egypt, Sudan due to civil war- photo courtesy of g the organization
CAIRO - 21 October 2024: The conflict in Sudan continues to escalate as the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) press forward in their offensive against the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The SAF has made significant gains in the battle for the city of al-Dinder in Sennar state, following intense clashes. Meanwhile, the RSF has been accused of carrying out a deadly attack on a village in West Kordofan which led to the death of 13 civilians and injuries to several others.
The Sudanese Armed Forces have successfully advanced toward the city of Dinder in Sennar State after fierce confrontations with the RSF on the city's outskirts. This military effort began on Friday, as the army, backed by armed movements and popular resistance forces, launched a campaign to regain control over areas in Sennar and Al Jazeera.
According to military sources, violent clashes erupted between the army and RSF forces on the eastern outskirts of Dinder. The SAF managed to seize RSF combat vehicles and destroy others while establishing new military outposts in villages east of Dinder. The city fell under RSF control in early July following battles with allied armed movements supporting the army. The RSF then set up a local government comprised of city residents.
In a separate incident, the village of Um Dafis, located north of Abu Zabad in West Kordofan, was attacked by RSF forces on Friday. Eyewitnesses reported that the violent assault targeted the village market, resulting in the deaths of 13 civilians. Nine of the victims were residents of Um Dafis, while two were from the neighboring village of Al-Raqeeba, and another two were from the nearby village of Abu Qalb.
The witnesses also described widespread looting of the market, with RSF forces seizing barrels of fuel and raiding shops and goods. Residents of the village bravely confronted the attackers, but the attack left several people injured.
To address the growing humanitarian crisis, the Sudanese government has agreed to open the airports of Kassala, Dongola, and al-Obeid, in addition to Kadugli, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid. The government has pledged to provide all necessary support to ensure the smooth flow of aid to those in need.
Amid the chaos, the Ministry of Health announced on Saturday the launch of a campaign to vaccinate 1.4 million people against cholera in Kassala, Gedaref (eastern Sudan), and River Nile state (northern Sudan). The ministry received the doses in early October, supported by the Global Vaccine Alliance (Gavi), the World Health Organization (WHO), and UNICEF.
The cholera response campaign is being conducted in areas including Berber, Al-Damer, and Atbara in River Nile State, and Khashm El-Girba in Kassala, as well as Gedaref Municipality. The campaign aims to vaccinate 1,407,546 people aged one year and above, with the drive expected to continue through the week.
The Ministry of Health reported that cholera cases have risen to 25,037, including 702 deaths, according to the latest update issued on Thursday. The Director of the Expanded Immunization Program, Ismail Al-Adani, announced that additional doses of the cholera vaccine are expected to arrive on October 24.
Health authorities have expressed concern that the actual number of cholera cases could be much higher, as up to 80% of healthcare facilities in conflict zones are non-operational, and around 45% of healthcare centers in other regions are also out of service.
The international community has called for an immediate cessation of hostilities and for unimpeded humanitarian access. Aid agencies have been working tirelessly to provide assistance to those affected by the conflict.
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