KHARTOUM – Sudan’s Commissioner for Refugees warned on Saturday that renewed fighting along the Sudan–Ethiopia border could trigger a new influx of refugees after cross-border shelling struck several refugee camps, causing casualties.

In a statement, the Commissioner said clashes between Tigray regional forces and the Ethiopian National Defense Force on 31 July caused projectiles to land inside a number of refugee camps along the border, resulting in deaths and injuries. The statement did not specify the number of casualties.

The Commissioner said the border strip serves as a transit and reception area for asylum seekers fleeing Ethiopia, warning that continued military mobilization could force more people to cross into Sudan while increasing security and humanitarian risks.

Eastern Sudan has hosted tens of thousands of Ethiopian refugees since the outbreak of the conflict in Ethiopia’s Tigray region in 2020, with camps in Gedaref and Kassala states remaining key reception points despite the ongoing conflict inside Sudan.

The Commissioner called on the United Nations, regional organizations and humanitarian agencies to step up efforts to protect refugees and provide emergency assistance, warning that the humanitarian situation could deteriorate further if aid is not delivered promptly.

The statement said Sudanese authorities are continuing to monitor conditions in coordination with humanitarian partners and are working to provide essential assistance to refugees affected by the latest violence.