Over 1 Million War-Displaced Sudanese Return Khartoum Amid Extensive Destruction

Since the outbreak of civil war in Sudan in April 2023, over 12 million people have been forcibly displaced, with approximately 1.2 million returning to the country between December 2024 and May 2025. Many returnees, like Afaf al-Tayeb and her family, have faced repeated displacements and return to homes that are severely damaged or destroyed, often losing treasured possessions and enduring emotional trauma. The capital, Khartoum, was a major battleground between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), with the army claiming to have recaptured the city, yet the infrastructure remains devastated and unsafe. Displaced families recount harrowing experiences with RSF fighters, describing them as frightening and hostile, which forced multiple evacuations and internal displacements. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 40,000 deaths, widespread famine risks, and disease outbreaks, compounding the humanitarian crisis. Despite some sense of safety returning with military control, the challenges of rebuilding lives and communities amid destruction and insecurity remain profound for Sudanese civilians.