More than 11,000 people, including over 5,500 children, have fled escalating fighting around Sudan's strategic city of el-Obeid in the past two weeks, according to Save the Children. The United Nations warns that up to 500,000 civilians could be at risk if violence intensifies, as the city becomes the latest focal point in a war that has already triggered the world's largest displacement crisis.
For much of Sudan's three-year civil war between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), international attention has centered on Khartoum and Darfur. However, fighting has recently intensified across Kordofan, with el-Obeid emerging as a key battleground due to its strategic location at the intersection of roads linking central Sudan with Darfur and southern states.
Francesco Lanino, deputy country director for Save the Children in Sudan, emphasized that displacement for children means far more than losing a home. “It often means losing access to school, healthcare, clean water and the support networks that help them feel safe. Many have already been displaced multiple times, and without urgent action, thousands of children could be forced to flee while facing increasing risks,” he said.
El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, remains under SAF control, making it one of the army's most important positions in western Sudan. Military analysts say control of the city shapes movement along key supply routes, explaining why both sides consider it strategically vital. The RSF has expanded military pressure around the city while the army reinforces its positions.
The conflict has evolved with increased use of drone warfare, targeting military positions as well as civilian infrastructure such as fuel depots, electricity networks, and water facilities. This has disrupted essential services, driven up food prices, and raised concerns about waterborne diseases like cholera.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk warned: “The signs from el-Obeid are clear and unmistakable: another human rights catastrophe is unfolding in Sudan. This is not a drill. It is a red alert that needs to land on the desks of heads of state and government around the world.”
Source: www.aljazeera.com