“Attacks on Villages Near Khazan Arousha (Arousha Water Catchment) in North Darfur- Sudan Displaced Thousands of Families”

Over the past week, armed attacks targeting villages surrounding the Khazan Arousha area in Ambro locality, North Darfur – Sudan, have further worsened the humanitarian situation, resulting in the deaths of three people and injuries to several others. The attacks also involved the looting and burning of the local market and the theft of large numbers of livestock, according to local sources.

Sources told Sudan Sawa Sawa that the latest attack is part of a series of recurring assaults that have affected the region in recent months, including the areas of Ambro, Tina, and Karnoi, leading to a rapid deterioration in both security and humanitarian conditions.

According to the sources, the attacks forced residents of more than eight villages to flee after their communities were burned and looted. Thousands of families have sought refuge in camps and border areas inside Chad in search of safety. Estimates indicate that around 6,500 families have been displaced in recent weeks.

The displaced population is facing severe humanitarian challenges amid acute shortages of food, drinking water, and basic services. Women are struggling with a lack of personal hygiene supplies, while children are experiencing rising rates of malnutrition and the spread of disease.

The health sector has also suffered a significant setback following the closure of several medical facilities. Sources reported that Ambro Rural Hospital was targeted and looted, while the area’s only ambulance used for transporting patients was stolen, further limiting access to healthcare services.

The region is also experiencing disruptions to telecommunications and internet services due to the theft of some Starlink devices and the destruction of parts of the communications infrastructure. This has hampered efforts to deliver humanitarian assistance and document conditions on the ground.

Khazan Arousha is located in the northwestern part of North Darfur within Ambro locality. The area is strategically important due to its connection to Wadi Hoor and border regions and is characterized by a diverse landscape that includes sandy and clay plains as well as mountainous terrain.

The area had enjoyed relative stability before the outbreak of the war in Sudan in 2023. Since then, however, it has witnessed successive waves of violence and displacement, exacerbating humanitarian conditions and contributing to the spread of disease and malnutrition, particularly among women and children.

Residents and humanitarian organizations are calling for greater protection for civilians and the establishment of safe corridors to facilitate the delivery of urgent aid to those affected, as humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate and the number of displaced people rises.