Khartoum - New York: Europe and the Arabs

The United Nations has expressed grave concern over reports of brutal attacks on villages in Sudan's Kordofan region, as hostilities continue to escalate.
In its latest update on Tuesday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted reports that attacks on villages in the Bara area of North Kordofan State, between July 10 and 13, resulted in the deaths of at least 300 people, including children and pregnant women, and many more injured. Homes were also looted and burned, and people were displaced. OCHA explained that it is difficult to confirm the exact number of civilian casualties due to the ongoing communications blackout in the area.
OCHA also expressed concern over reports of renewed shelling in El Obeid, the state capital, deepening fears and insecurity among civilians who were there. In West Kordofan state, more than 20 people were reportedly killed in attacks on the villages of Al-Fula and Abu Zabad between July 10 and 13, including victims of an airstrike on a school sheltering displaced families. Humanitarian operations have also been affected by the ongoing fighting. UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric said these incidents are yet another tragic reminder of the devastating toll the conflict is taking on civilians across Sudan.
He added: "We reiterate our condemnation of the killing of all civilians. We are also witnessing the targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure – including schools, homes, shelters, and humanitarian assets – which should never be targeted. We call on all parties to the conflict to fully respect their obligations under international humanitarian law."
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that people fleeing North Kordofan state, as well as El Fasher in North Darfur, continue to seek safety in other parts of Sudan, including Northern State.
He noted that more than 3,000 people have arrived in the Dabba area since June. While some have received food assistance, the continued influx of newly displaced families is placing further pressure on an already overstretched humanitarian system, according to OCHA.
The office warned that the rainy season is bringing further hardship. In eastern Sudan, heavy rains and strong winds last Sunday destroyed or damaged shelters and food supplies for approximately 2,700 displaced people in Gedaref.
A rapid assessment conducted by OCHA and UN partners on Monday revealed that most affected families wish to return to their areas of origin but need support to do so.
According to the International Organization for Migration, more than 1.3 million people have returned to their areas of origin across Sudan since November 2024. The vast majority have returned to Gezira, Sennar, and Khartoum states, but they face deteriorating living conditions and a lack of basic services.
OCHA appealed for urgent and increased support to reach millions of vulnerable people across Sudan. He thanked the donors who have contributed so far to this year's humanitarian response plan in the country, which is nearly 23 percent funded, with approximately $950 million received so far.