As if the siege has not been lifted: Residents of Kadugli in Sudan lose hope
Despite the announcement that the siege of Kadugli has been lifted, residents remain hopeless due to ongoing drone attacks and dire living conditions.
In Kadugli, after the Sudanese Armed Forces declared an end to the siege that had long plagued the city, commercial trucks began to reach the markets, and prices were reported to have dropped. However, many residents still struggle to find adequate food, often managing with just one meal a day, as airstrikes by drone continue to ravage the area. The situation remains dire, leading to a sense of despair among the population.
Dr. Taha Abdul Rahman, a 36-year-old local physician, shared his decision to stay in Kadugli despite the risks, especially with his wife expecting a new baby. He expressed his commitment to the community, stating that he felt a professional and ethical responsibility to remain despite the departure of many medical staff during the ongoing conflict. His story reflects the larger plight of many residents who refuse to abandon their homes amid the chaos.
The International Organization for Migration reported that approximately 11,000 individuals have been forced to flee Kadugli between late October 2025 and mid-January 2026 due to escalating violence. The aerial attacks, attributed to the Rapid Support Forces, have intensified following the army's recent claim of breaking the siege, leading to fears of further escalation in the conflict and deepening humanitarian crises in the region.