Sudan violence forces up to 20,000 to flee to Chad

Between 10,000 and 20,000 people have fled the Western Darfur region, as violence rages for a sixth day. Battles between forces loyal to the army and the paramilitary group RSF are showing no signs of abating.

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) said on April 20 that between 10,000 and 20,000 people have fled Sudan's western Darfur region in the past few days, seeking refuge in neighboring Chad, as the battle between the country's military and strongest paramilitary group rages on, DW reports.

Those arriving are mostly women and children, the UNHCR said, adding that it was working with the Chadian government to assess their needs and prepare a joint response.

"Tragically we have already received reports of refugees caught in the ongoing fighting in Sudan," said Raouf Mazou, UNHCR's Assistant High Commissioner for Operations. “It is urgent that the conflict stops to prevent the loss of more lives." 

Fighting in Sudan entered its sixth day on Thursday, as explosions and gunfire rocked the capital, Khartoum, and the adjacent city of Omdurman, prompting thousands of residents to flee.

The bloodshed, which has so far claimed the lives of more than 330 civilians and left many wounded, shows no signs of letting up.

Battles are continuing between forces loyal to the head of the army — Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, the country's de facto ruler — and his deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, known as Hemedti, who commands the paramilitary RSF group.

Both men, with a long history of human rights abuses, are battling for control of Africa's third-largest country, which is rich in natural resources.   

The violence has left many civilians trapped indoors and desperately seeking essential supplies, including food, water and medicine.

Around 70 per cent of hospitals near the clash sites throughout the country are out of service, the Sudanese Doctors Syndicate said on April 20. At least nine hospitals were bombed, it added.

Thousands of Sudanese, including women and children, have fled the capital since the outbreak of the violence. Many are still trying to escape the battle zones to safer areas.