In brief
In North Kordofan’s el‑Obeid, a city under heavy military defence, thousands of displaced people have been forced into a rapidly expanding camp as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) intensify drone attacks on food and fuel supply lines. Satellite imagery shows a swelling number of tents and dozens of new arrivals daily, while UN reports highlight severe food shortages and a functional siege. Local civilians fear infiltration by RSF sympathisers in a city already scarred by the 2023 massacre at El‑Fasher. The Sudanese army is reportedly building a defensive berm around the city, but international actors warn that continuing support for the RSF could drive a repeat atrocity. The escalating conflict now threatens the lives of over 83,000 civilians housed in el‑Obeid.
The city of el‑Obeid, a strategic hub in North Kordofan, is now a refuge for thousands fleeing the escalating Sudan civil war. Yet the city is simultaneously a military target: RSF drones have struck fuel stations, power plants and supply warehouses, turning the city into a contested zone.
A Growing Displacement Camp
Satellite imagery reveals that the main displacement camp has expanded massively since March, with a surge of 80‑100 households arriving daily. Over 83,000 civilians now live under insecure conditions, a figure that dwarfs the city’s pre‑war population. The UN estimates that 400,000 people in the surrounding areas face a severe food shortage as RSF blocks supply routes.
Drone Warfare and a Functioning Siege
The RSF recorded the highest number of drone strikes on el‑Obeid in June, with attacks dropping only in July when they responded to battles elsewhere. The strikes undermined critical infrastructure—fuel stations, power grids and warehouses—forcing aid agencies to halt air shipments and strip‑mine convoys. A recent video captured a massive explosion at a fuel station.
Threats of a Massacre
The EU and G7 recently warned that RSF could target el‑Obeid, reflecting past atrocities in el‑Fasher where mass executions followed a RSF siege. High‑level footage shows RSF troops in Nyala boasting that el‑Obeid is the next objective. Locals report growing suspicion toward refugees, fearing RSF sympathisers are infiltrating the city.
Defensive Preparations by the Sudanese Army
The Sudanese military appears to be building a defensive berm around the city, aiming to repel attackers rather than hold them in. The army also secured a vital highway linking el‑Obeid with Khartoum, while the RSF chief, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has vowed to “unleash” his troops with no retreat.
Key facts as the conflict unfolds: el‑Obeid is a pivotal junction connecting RSF‑controlled western territories with the military‑held central and White Nile regions. The RSF seeks momentum after territorial losses in the eastern region while facing internal instability.
The international community is urging a pause on all logistical or financial support to the parties to prevent a repeat of the horrific 2023 massacre. Whether global pressure can curb RSF’s advance remains uncertain.
