29 Countries Warn 500,000 in Sudan's al-Obeid Face Imminent RSF Atrocities
Updated
Updated · Reuters · Jun 18
29 Countries Warn 500,000 in Sudan's al-Obeid Face Imminent RSF Atrocities
3 articles · Updated · Reuters · Jun 18
Summary
About 500,000 civilians in al-Obeid — including more than 100,000 displaced people — face an imminent risk of large-scale atrocities, a 29-country coalition told the U.N. Human Rights Council.
The warning cited a possible RSF escalation in the North Kordofan city and 10 straight days of drone strikes that killed at least 50 civilians and damaged civilian infrastructure.
Britain, France, Germany and other coalition members urged maximum pressure on both the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces to spare civilians and allow unhindered humanitarian access.
Volker Türk echoed the alarm, saying al-Obeid has endured siege-like conditions for more than 18 months and warning against a repeat of atrocities seen in al-Fashir and Zamzam camp.
The alert comes as Sudan's more than three-year war has displaced nearly 14 million people, with the army holding much of central and eastern Sudan and the RSF entrenched in Darfur.
Will high-level defections cripple the RSF's offensive before another atrocity unfolds in Sudan?
With both factions in turmoil, can international pressure finally halt the war for Sudan's future?
As foreign drones fuel Sudan's war, why are local aid networks facing devastating funding cuts?
Sudan’s Catastrophe: 12.5 Million Displaced, El Obeid’s Fall Looms, and the World Looks Away
Overview
El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, is under severe threat as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have surrounded the city from the west and begun shelling it, while also mobilizing to attack nearby areas. In response, the Sudanese air force is conducting continuous sorties to target RSF positions and prevent their advance. The city’s strategic importance is highlighted by its role as a stronghold and launchpad for future operations by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Amid escalating violence, a coalition of international countries has urgently called for the RSF to halt its assault on El Obeid.