Landmines and unexploded remnants of war are posing a growing threat to civilians in Bara, North Kordofan, following months of fighting and repeated changes of control between Sudan’s warring forces.
Field sources told Darfur24 that landmine explosions have increased in and around the town since the Sudanese army recently took control of Bara, prompting warnings for civilians to avoid former battle zones that have yet to be cleared of mines and other explosive remnants.
Bara has witnessed repeated clashes between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces since the war erupted in April 2023, with control of the strategically located town changing hands several times.
Witnesses said at least three separate landmine explosions had recently caused civilian losses and damage.
In one incident at Bara’s western entrance in late August, a landmine explosion damaged a Nissan vehicle carrying onions. Two Toyota Land Cruisers — a pickup and a passenger vehicle — were also damaged in separate incidents, according to field sources.
Military sources warned residents against entering areas that had witnessed fighting and where mines and unexploded ordnance had not yet been removed, urging civilians to exercise extreme caution.
Bara remains largely deserted because of the fighting, the collapse of basic services and continuing risks from mines and other remnants of war, the sources said.
Similar incidents have been reported elsewhere in North Kordofan.
Residents in Jabra al-Sheikh said a landmine explosion there killed and wounded civilians, raising concerns that mine-related casualties could increase in areas recently captured by the Sudanese army.
On July 25, the army announced that it had taken control of Bara, Um Sayala, Jabra al-Sheikh, Um Girfa and al-Baraka following heavy fighting with the Rapid Support Forces.
