The Sudanese authorities announced a nightly curfew in two towns in the state of Blue Nile in the southeast of the country, near the border with Ethiopia, after days of tribal clashes erupted, killing 31 people and wounding 39.
A statement issued by the government of the Blue Nile State said that the clashes spread to several towns since Wednesday, after the killing of a farmer, before the security forces launched a campaign of arrests and took control of the situation.
Clashes are still continuing today, Saturday, in multiple locations without the deployment of security forces in the state, while residents are trying to flee the fighting and resort to the police for protection.
The statement of the Nile State government added that the number of injured reached 39, while 16 stores were destroyed, and a night curfew was announced in the cities of Damazin and Rusires.
A statement by the Central Committee of Doctors of Sudan stated that Al-Damazin and Al-Rusairis Hospital received today a number of injured, and that the hospital is poorly equipped.
He added, "We demand the Federal Ministry of Health to intervene urgently, and the need to open an air bridge with the state to meet work aids, and to evacuate patients who need services."
The civil conflict renewed in the states of South Kordofan and Blue Nile in 2011, affecting about one million people after a long history of fighting between 1983 and 2005.
Sporadic violence erupted in several areas of Sudan, including the eastern coastal areas and West Darfur, despite a peace agreement signed by some rebel groups in 2020.
The most powerful faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement-North, a rebel group active in South Kordofan and Blue Nile states, did not sign the deal, while a weaker rival faction did.
The Sudanese army seized power from a civilian-led transitional government in October 2021, which led to the outbreak of massive anti-army protests that have been going on for more than 8 months.