Key facts
- Thousands of displaced people are sheltering in el-Obeid, Sudan, amid advancing paramilitary RSF fighters.
- The UN and G7 have issued warnings about potential RSF attacks on el-Obeid, fearing a repeat of past atrocities.
- RSF has been targeting supply routes and infrastructure in and around el-Obeid, leading to severe shortages.
- RSF leaders have publicly vowed to attack the city, with fighters and military vehicles sighted nearby.
- The Sudanese military is fortifying el-Obeid with defensive berms and has secured a key highway.
Thousands of people seeking refuge in el-Obeid, Sudan, are facing renewed danger as paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) advance on the city. El-Obeid, a critical hub in the North Kordofan region, has become a primary refuge for those fleeing violence, with its displacement camp expanding significantly since March.
The UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) has warned that "families have run out of safe options to protect themselves," as many have already been displaced multiple times. The RSF's advance includes drone strikes on the city, which have targeted critical infrastructure, exacerbating severe food and water shortages for nearly 400,000 people in the vicinity. Supply routes have been cut off for months, creating what one UN official described as a "functional siege."
Both the UN and G7 foreign ministers have issued warnings that the RSF may be preparing to attack el-Obeid, raising fears of atrocities similar to those seen in el-Fasher last October, where thousands were killed. Verified footage shows heavily armed RSF troops and armoured vehicles vowing to "liberate" the city, with some fighters located within 40km of el-Obeid.
In response, the Sudanese military appears to be constructing defensive berms around the city. On Monday, the military also announced securing a vital highway connecting el-Obeid to Khartoum. RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as Hemedti, has ordered his fighters to advance without hesitation.
Analysts note that el-Obeid's strategic location makes it a crucial target for both sides. The RSF aims to regain momentum and connect its controlled western territories with central regions. The EU and G7 have urged external actors to suspend support to the conflict parties, with the European Parliament specifically naming the UAE as a key RSF backer, allegations that Emirati officials deny.