US Warns 500,000 in Sudan's el-Obeid Risk Atrocities as RSF Masses Forces
Updated
Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 22
US Warns 500,000 in Sudan's el-Obeid Risk Atrocities as RSF Masses Forces
3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jun 22
Summary
500,000 civilians in el-Obeid are at risk if the RSF assaults the city, the US said, warning that mass atrocities could be imminent as the paramilitary group encircles the area.
The State Department said RSF fighters and allied forces were massing around el-Obeid and urged all belligerents to halt actions endangering civilians, allow humanitarian access and meet obligations under international law.
UN officials have warned an attack could echo the October 2025 assault on el-Fasher, which they said bore hallmarks of genocide.
The immediate toll is already rising: the UN Human Rights Council said 50 civilians were killed in drone strikes over 10 days in el-Obeid and North Kordofan.
Sudan's war, raging since April 2023 between the RSF and the army, has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions in one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.
Is the world watching another predictable genocide unfold in Sudan after the El Fasher massacre?
Why is the UAE allowed to arm Sudan's RSF despite repeated warnings of genocide?
How does an illicit gold trade fuel Sudan's devastating war despite international calls for peace?
El Obeid Under Siege: Imminent Mass Atrocities and Humanitarian Collapse in Sudan’s Divided War (2026)
Overview
El Obeid is facing an immediate and severe threat of mass atrocities, as recent direct hostilities—including deadly drone strikes in residential areas—have caused civilian casualties and the death of a humanitarian worker. These escalating tensions have put civilians at grave risk, prompting the Coalition for Preventing Atrocity Crimes and Achieving Justice in Sudan to issue a critical joint statement. The Coalition urgently calls on all parties to de-escalate the conflict, adhere to international humanitarian law, and ensure civilians can leave the city safely. This highlights the urgent need for protective measures to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe in El Obeid.