Fears of new massacre in Sudan’s el-Obeid: What do we know?
Sudan03/07/2026100
CONFLICT

Sudan’s people subject to ‘relentless’ drone strikes in El Obeid

The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to severe humanitarian crises, with El Obeid facing relentless drone strikes that have devastated civilian infrastructure and resulted in numerous casualties.

Key Facts

  • At least 45 civilians were killed and 41 injured in 15 drone strikes in El Obeid and surrounding areas between June 6 and 28.
  • The conflict has caused a significant increase in the number of displaced people in Kordofan, rising by nearly two-thirds in just three months.
  • Drone strikes have repeatedly targeted civilian areas, including markets, schools, and water infrastructure.
  • The city of El Obeid has been under siege-like conditions for 18 months, leading to shortages of clean water and essential supplies.
  • The UN has warned that up to 500,000 civilians are at risk of suffering atrocities after the ongoing violence.

Humanitarian Crisis in El Obeid

The city of El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, is currently experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis exacerbated by ongoing drone strikes. These strikes, attributed to the conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have targeted civilian infrastructure, including markets, schools, and hospitals, leading to widespread devastation.

According to reports from the UN, at least 45 civilians have been killed and many more injured in these attacks. The situation has deteriorated to the point where the UN's human rights office has described the conditions as siege-like, with civilians suffering from a lack of clean water and essential supplies for over 18 months.

Escalating Violence and Displacement

The violence in El Obeid is part of a broader conflict that has been ongoing for more than three years, with the RSF and SAF engaged in intense fighting. Recent investigations have revealed that at least 16 civilian and service targets have been damaged, further complicating the humanitarian situation.

The UN International Organization for Migration reported a staggering increase in the number of displaced individuals in Kordofan, with numbers rising by nearly two-thirds in just three months. This alarming trend highlights the urgent need for international intervention to prevent further loss of life and suffering among the civilian population.

Call for International Action

In light of the escalating crisis, UN human rights chief Volker Türk has called on world leaders to take immediate action to address the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in El Obeid. He emphasized the need for urgent discussions and interventions to prevent further atrocities against civilians.

The situation has drawn international attention, with warnings that up to 500,000 civilians are at risk of suffering preventable atrocities if the violence continues unchecked. The urgency of the situation has prompted calls for a coordinated global response to protect the vulnerable population in El Obeid and surrounding areas.

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Sudan’s people subject to ‘relentless’ drone strikes in El Obeid | Heuron