Sudan Conflict Could Prompt 800,000 People To Flee, UN Says

The United Nations warned on Monday that the conflict in Sudan could force 800,000 people to flee the country as battles between rival military factions persisted in the capital despite a supposed ceasefire.Hundreds of people have been killed and thousands wounded over 16 days of battles since disputes between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) erupted into conflict on April 15.The crisis has unleashed a humanitarian disaster, damaged swathes of Khartoum, risked drawing in regional powers and reignited conflict in the Darfur region.Many fear for their lives in the power struggle between the army chief and RSF head, who shared control of the government after a 2021 coup but fell out over a planned transition to civilian rule.Both sides agreed on Sunday to extend a much-violated truce by 72 hours, and the U.N.

told Reuters the rival forces may hold ceasefire talks in Saudi Arabia.

But air strikes and artillery rang out on Monday as smoke hung over Khartoum and neighbouring cities.