Sudan agrees to open 2 more camps for refugees fleeing Ethiopia's Tigray region

By Bahram Abdulmoneim

KHARTOUM, Sudan (AA) - Sudanese authorities approved the opening of two additional camps in Qadarif state on Tuesday to house fleeing refugees from the war in the Tigray region in northern Ethiopia.

The Sudanese News Agency (SUNA) quoted the head of the refugee housing emergency service in Qadarif, Al-Fateh al-Muqaddam, as saying “the opening of the two camps comes as part of the refugee commission after the recent repercussions in Ethiopia.”

The official is expected to receive “at least 500,000 Ethiopian refugees, according to the expectations and vision of the UN.”

Al-Mouqaddem said, “Qadarif state is now housing more than 52,000 Ethiopian refugees from various tribes.”

Five camps in Sudan receive Ethiopian refugees in Qadaref and Kassala which host at least 78,000.

The UN warned on Monday that the ongoing conflict between Tigray rebels and government forces threatens to "consume" the future of the East African country.

Khartoum says the number of refugees reached 71,488 because of the ongoing conflict.

* Writing by Bassel Barakat in Ankara