Key facts
- Paramilitary forces are reportedly closing in on the strategic Sudanese city of El-Obeid.
- International bodies and countries have warned of escalating risks to civilians.
- The city is a key battleground on the main east-west road in Sudan.
- The RSF has been conducting drone strikes on civilian infrastructure in El-Obeid.
- Experts believe the RSF's move is tactical, aiming to control vital routes.
- The Sudanese army is also employing drone strikes and has plans to defend the city's airspace.
International alarm is growing over the potential for mass violence against civilians in Sudan as paramilitary forces, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), close in on the strategic city of El-Obeid. The UN Security Council has expressed concern over substantial RSF reinforcements around the city, with the US, UK, and European nations warning of escalating atrocity risks. Experts suggest the RSF's move is tactical, aiming to control the crucial east-west road connecting to Khartoum and Omdurman, which could disrupt civilian life and humanitarian efforts.
El-Obeid, a city of half a million people, is vital for the Sudanese army, housing a major air base and an infantry division. While previous RSF attacks, like the one on El Fasher which bore "hallmarks of genocide," were often ethnically motivated, experts believe the current focus on El-Obeid is primarily tactical. However, there are warnings of possible reprisal killings against those perceived as allied with the military if the RSF retakes the city.
Residents of El-Obeid are living under the constant threat of RSF drone strikes, which have already damaged critical infrastructure such as power facilities, water systems, and supply routes. One resident described paying significantly more for water due to a recent strike on a power facility. The ACLED project reported a substantial increase in drone-related deaths and attacks in the Kordofan region in 2025 compared to the previous year.
Despite the RSF's efforts to isolate the city, experts like Nathaniel Raymond and Ali Mahmoud Ali of ACLED question their ability to sustain a prolonged siege due to depleted forces and intertribal fighting. The Sudanese army, however, is also equipped with drones and has claimed recent successes in destroying RSF assets, asserting a plan to protect the city's airspace. The situation remains volatile, with fears that if the RSF captures and holds El-Obeid, the humanitarian conditions could deteriorate rapidly, trapping civilians and hindering aid efforts.