Thousands of displaced individuals have been forced to flee the city of Wad Madani in Sudan as the conflict between the army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensifies, according to reports from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and witness testimonies.

The AFP news agency reported that the RSF has established a base in the eastern part of Wad Madani, Sudan's second-largest city and the capital of al-Jazirah state. This new development has shattered the previous sense of safety in what was considered one of Sudan's few remaining sanctuaries.

Videos circulating on social media depict crowds of people, many of whom sought refuge in Wad Madani from violence in the capital Khartoum, hastily packing up their belongings and leaving the city on foot.

Sources indicate that Sudan's army, which has been in control of the city since the beginning of the conflict, responded to the RSF assault by launching airstrikes. Witnesses have reported seeing RSF reinforcements heading towards the fighting, while RSF soldiers have been spotted in neighboring villages in recent weeks.

The war between the army and the RSF erupted in mid-April due to disagreements over political transition plans and the integration of the RSF into the army. This conflict has already claimed the lives of more than 12,000 individuals, according to estimates by the Armed Conflict and Event Data Project. Furthermore, close to 6.8 million people have been displaced from their homes, as reported by the United Nations.

The UN announced that 14,000 people have fled Wad Madani so far, with a few thousand already reaching other cities. It is estimated that over half a million people sought refuge in al-Jazirah, primarily coming from Khartoum. Wad Madani alone currently houses over 86,000 displaced people, and with the suspension of humanitarian field missions in al-Jazirah state, the situation has become even more precarious.

The NRC's Sudan director, William Carter, expressed concern for the displaced families in Wad Madani who have been cramped in makeshift displacement sites in schools for months. With no means to escape or hide from violence, their vulnerability is heightened.

The city's doctors' union highlighted the catastrophic situation in Wad Madani, noting the closure of pharmacies amidst the ongoing conflict. Both the army and RSF have cast doubts on the East African mediation initiative aimed at bringing an end to the war. The conflict has already resulted in reports of abuses, including rapes, looting, and arbitrary killing and detention, particularly in Khartoum and cities in Darfur.

The RSF has denied these accusations and has stated that anyone found guilty of such crimes within its forces will be held accountable. As the situation continues to deteriorate, more civilians are at risk of being caught in the crossfire and humanitarian efforts are being disrupted. The international community must act swiftly to address the escalating crisis in Sudan.