The United Nations is raising the alarm over a fresh surge in violence across Sudan, saying attacks are putting civilians at greater risk and driving more people from their homes.

Blue Nile State has recorded one of the largest displacements. Local authorities say nearly 22,000 people may have fled Gisan locality over the past week as fighting intensified. Many are seeking shelter in schools, while others have moved toward the state capital and surrounding areas.

Violence has also escalated in North Kordofan. Attacks on villages around El Obeid on Saturday reportedly left people dead and injured and triggered further displacement. Civilian homes, property and livestock were also reportedly looted.

The violence followed a drone strike in eastern El Obeid a day earlier that reportedly caused casualties. The International Organization for Migration estimates that about 450 people were displaced by worsening insecurity in North Kordofan.

In West Darfur, a drone strike on a fuel market near the border with Chad last Thursday reportedly killed and injured civilians and damaged property.

Meanwhile, renewed clashes around two towns in South Kordofan have forced additional families to flee. The UN has also expressed concern over the detention of humanitarian workers by non-state armed groups. Sudan Humanitarian Coordinator Denise Brown described the detentions as unacceptable, warning that they threaten aid workers and disrupt the delivery of essential assistance.

Brown called for the immediate and unconditional release of detained humanitarian personnel.

The UN is urging all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, comply with international humanitarian law and ensure aid agencies can operate safely and independently.