Moments ago, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) suspended all humanitarian work in the Al-Jazirah state of Sudan after fighting broke out nearly seven hours ago. Their official announcement reads below:
“Fighting broke out in the morning of 15 December between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the outskirts of Wad Medani located in Aj Jazirah State 136 km south of the capital Khartoum.
The city has served as a hub for humanitarian operations since fighting broke out in April this year between SAF and RSF. Shops and markets have reportedly shut down in Wad Medani. Hantoob bridge in Wad Medani is reportedly partially closed by SAF as a security measure.
A suspension of all humanitarian field missions within and from Aj Jazirah State has been put in place as of 15 December until further notice.”
At approximately 0226 EST, Rapid Support Forces (RSF) vehicles were spotted by civilians, reportedly heading towards Gezira state.
???????????????????????????????????????????
? ????? ????? ?? ???? ????? ???????
???? ??????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? 15?????? 2023?. pic.twitter.com/KGNA5CeaID— ????? ????? (@alaaty88) December 15, 2023
However, by 0330 EST, those forces had converged on the Umm Alila gas refinery near Wad Madani and Hantoub Bridge. By 0400 EST, Sudanese Armed Forces had engaged the RSF and fierce fighting erupted. By 0700 EST, RSF forces were reported at the Wad Madani airport, but SAF were reporting successes in repelling the incursion.
? ????? ???? ????? ??? ???? ?? ??????? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ?? ????? #????? ….#?????? #?????_??????? #??????? …. pic.twitter.com/jOOjO8FzjD
— Dr- HanAmin ???? (@hanaelmeen1) December 15, 2023
As of this publication, the SAF are still shelling the Ibb Haraz area of Wad Madani and several hundred civilians have been displaced. This is developing.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) is a United Nations (UN) body established in December 1991 by the General Assembly to strengthen the international response to complex emergencies and natural disasters. It is the successor to the Office of the United Nations Disaster Relief Coordinator (UNDRO).
