The Sudanese city of el-Obeid in North Kordofan is facing an imminent threat of mass atrocities as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) amass troops around the strategic hub. The UN Security Council, several European countries, and the US have flagged the risk, warning of a potential repeat of the horrors seen in el-Fasher.

El-Obeid, home to about 500,000 people, is a crucial crossroads between Khartoum and Darfur, housing a major SAF military base and airfield. The RSF is believed to be preparing a ground offensive to retake the city, which has been under SAF control since February 2025.

Researcher Hager Ali from the GIGA Institute noted that capturing el-Obeid would provide the RSF with urban infrastructure, gum arabic trade, and a forward base for drone operations, especially important as the rainy season reduces drone effectiveness.

The Darfur city of el-Fasher became a symbol of atrocities after RSF besieged it for 18 months and killed about 6,000 people in three days last October. The UN described the attacks as bearing the “hallmarks of genocide.”

Kenneth Roth, former executive director of Human Rights Watch, stated that the RSF has shown “utter disregard for civilian life” and that deliberately killing civilians seems to be their primary aim. Amgad Fareid Eltayeb, advisor to Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council, criticized the international community for issuing warnings without taking preventive action.

The United Arab Emirates is accused of backing the RSF, though it denies involvement. The SAF is supported by Egypt, Turkey, Russia, and Iran. Philippe Dam of Human Rights Watch called for sanctions against the RSF leadership, noting that the US imposed sanctions on both generals in January 2025, but the UN has not yet done so.

Source: www.dw.com