Residents of Damazin, the capital of Sudan’s Blue Nile Region, are increasingly fearful amid escalating military operations, reports of advances by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and their ally, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N).
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Saturday, resident Samer Ali said living conditions had worsened significantly, citing disruptions to electricity and water supplies and the closure of grain mills.
He described the security situation as unstable, saying some residents had fled the city while others remained uncertain about what lay ahead.
Ali said many families are struggling to decide whether to leave or stay because of a lack of reliable information about developments on the ground.
“The situation is unstable, and no one knows where events are heading,” he said.
Another resident, Mohamed al-Tayyib, offered a contrasting assessment, describing the city as calm and secure and urging residents to disregard what he called rumours and misinformation.
He expressed confidence that the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) would regain control of areas they had lost, assuring residents of Blue Nile and other parts of Sudan that the situation in Damazin remained under control.
According to al-Tayyib, markets, schools and government institutions were operating normally, with no reason for residents to fear.
Resident Fathia al-Toum, however, described the security situation as dire, saying large numbers of people had fled the city.
She said those who could afford transport had managed to leave, while low-income families remained behind.
“May God see us through,” she said.
The growing anxiety comes amid military confrontations in several parts of Blue Nile, particularly Kurmuk, Geissan and Wad al-Mahi localities, as well as battlefield developments in Sali, Bakori and, more recently, the Magja area of Bau locality.
Reports of military movements towards other areas have further heightened uncertainty among residents.
Recent drone strikes on residential neighbourhoods in Damazin, which reportedly caused deaths and injuries, have intensified fears of an expanding conflict and increased risks to civilians.
Damage to the city’s electricity substation and subsequent power outages have compounded concerns about the impact of military operations on civilian infrastructure and essential services.
In response to mounting public anxiety, the Blue Nile Regional Government issued a statement urging residents not to be swayed by rumours or information from unidentified sources.
The government said it was closely monitoring military and security developments in coordination with the relevant authorities.
However, the assurances have raised questions about the availability of reliable information, the extent to which residents are being informed about battlefield developments and the measures being taken to protect civilians and maintain stability in the city.
Civil society activist Ayman Abdallah told Radio Tamazuj that residents are living in fear that fighting could reach Damazin.
He urged the authorities to provide accurate and reliable information about the security situation across the region and take adequate measures to protect civilians.
Abdallah also stressed the need to ensure residents are sufficiently informed to prepare for possible developments, including further displacement.
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