Residents of El-Obeid, a major city in southern Sudan, say they are living in constant fear as tensions rise and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) appear to be preparing for a new assault. The Sudanese army reported that it had shot down a drone targeting the city on Saturday, signaling that the fighting may soon intensify.
El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, is located about 400 kilometers (250 miles) southwest of Khartoum. It holds huge strategic importance because it connects the war-torn regions of Darfur to the national capital. For months, it has become a key target for the RSF, which has been battling the national army since April 2023.
Growing Fear Among Civilians
People in El-Obeid say they no longer feel safe in their homes.
- Many have started moving to nearby villages to avoid possible airstrikes and fighting.
- Locals told reporters that government reassurances mean little, especially after recent RSF victories.
- “We are living in fear every day,” said a resident from the Qubba neighborhood. “After what happened in Bara, our fear has only grown.”
The United Nations (UN) expressed deep concern this week, saying it has noticed “preparations for intensified hostilities” across the Kordofan region. It warned that a new wave of violence could cause further humanitarian crises, especially after what happened in the nearby city of El-Fasher.
Lessons from El-Fasher’s Fall
Just two weeks ago, El-Fasher, the last army stronghold in western Darfur, fell to the RSF after an 18-month siege.
- Reports from human rights groups described mass killings, sexual assaults, and kidnappings following the city’s fall.
- The incident has raised fears that similar violence could happen again in Kordofan.
- The oil-rich Kordofan region is now seen as the next major battleground in Sudan’s civil war.
Since El-Fasher’s fall, over 80,000 people have fled their homes, according to UN figures. Many displaced families have taken refuge in the northern city of Al-Dabba, where humanitarian aid remains limited.
Strategic Importance of El-Obeid
El-Obeid is home to an airport and lies on a key supply route between Darfur and Khartoum. This makes it a strategic prize for the RSF, which is trying to gain full control over western and southern Sudan.
- Last month, the RSF captured the nearby town of Bara, forcing over 36,000 people to flee within a week.
- The group said it had gathered troops in Bara to launch a new assault on El-Obeid.
- Residents say RSF commanders warned civilians to “avoid military areas”, but fear remains widespread.
A military source confirmed that Sudanese air defenses shot down an RSF drone over El-Obeid on Saturday. This suggests that both sides are already testing each other’s strength before a full attack begins.
Children Lost in Chaos
The humanitarian situation is worsening fast. Aid workers from the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) said that many children arriving in nearby towns are without their parents.
- Some children were separated during chaotic evacuations, while others lost their families due to detentions or killings.
- “Many families have taken in children who are not their own,” said Mathilde Vu from NRC. “They found them alone after fleeing El-Fasher.”
The General Coordination for Displaced People and Refugees in Darfur said that over 16,000 people have reached the town of Tawila and urgently need food, water, and medical care.
Displacement and Government Response
Sudan’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan visited displaced people in Al-Dabba, about 1,000 kilometers north of El-Fasher. The government said that since the RSF siege began in April 2024, more than 50,000 people had fled to Al-Dabba.
Meanwhile, many Sudanese citizens remain trapped in cities without communication, unable to contact their relatives. The UN has warned that access to aid is limited and that fighting could make the situation “catastrophic.”
What Lies Ahead for Sudan
Experts say the fall of El-Obeid could change the balance of power in Sudan’s civil war. The RSF now controls all five capitals of Darfur and parts of the south, while the army still holds most of the north, east, and central Sudan, including Khartoum.
The UN and African Union continue to call for peace talks, but so far, no lasting ceasefire has been achieved.
The people of El-Obeid are now waiting anxiously, unsure when the next attack might come. For many families, each day brings new Breaking News of violence, displacement, and survival — reminders of a conflict that shows no sign of ending soon.
