UN Warns of Impending Atrocities in Sudan's El Obeid as RSF Amasses Forces

El Obeid, Sudan – The United Nations Security Council and leading humanitarian officials have issued urgent and dire warnings regarding an imminent ground offensive by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on El Obeid, the strategic capital of Sudan's North Kordofan state. Reports indicate a significant military buildup by the paramilitary group around the city, prompting fears of "mass atrocities" and "serious international crimes" against the civilian population. The international community has been called upon to act swiftly to prevent a humanitarian catastrophe akin to previous devastations in other Sudanese cities.

The Looming Offensive and Dire Consequences

The warnings, articulated by UN Secretary-General António Guterres and High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk, highlight alarming reports of substantial RSF reinforcements encircling El Obeid. The concentration of forces suggests preparations for a large-scale ground assault on the city, which has already endured siege-like conditions for over 18 months. This military escalation follows a sustained period of intense fighting between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) since the conflict erupted in April 2023.

El Obeid, a vital hub in Sudan, links the capital Khartoum with the Darfur region and hosts the only airport in North Kordofan. Its strategic location makes it a critical logistical and commercial center, as well as a crucial nexus for humanitarian aid operations across the broader Kordofan region. The city also currently shelters hundreds of thousands of civilians, including over 100,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) who have sought refuge there from violence in other areas of Sudan.

Recent days have seen a dramatic increase in hostilities, with drone strikes by the RSF reportedly killing at least 50 civilians across El Obeid and North Kordofan over a ten-day period. These attacks have not only claimed lives but have also targeted critical civilian infrastructure, including fuel stations and power plants, leading to an acute fuel crisis, paralyzing public transport, and disrupting water treatment facilities. In response, the Sudanese army has launched its own drone strikes to counter RSF movements and preempt the anticipated ground offensive.

Echoes of El Fasher: A Catastrophic Precedent

UN officials have explicitly drawn parallels between the current situation in El Obeid and the devastating events that unfolded in El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, in October 2025. El Fasher fell to the RSF after an 18-month siege, during which widespread massacres, mass rapes, and looting were reported. The UN subsequently concluded that these actions bore the "hallmarks of genocide."

High Commissioner Volker Türk emphasized this stark warning, stating, "We have seen this playbook before... We know where it led then, and cannot now allow a repeat of the preventable atrocities we documented in El Fasher." Secretary-General Guterres echoed this sentiment, urging, "We must not allow the horrors of El Fasher to be repeated in El Obeid." The fear is that the civilian population of El Obeid, already beleaguered by months of conflict and deprivation, faces an unconscionable risk of similar brutality if the imminent offensive proceeds unchecked.

Deepening Humanitarian Crisis Across Sudan

The renewed threat to El Obeid exacerbates an already catastrophic humanitarian crisis gripping Sudan. The ongoing conflict, now in its third year, has forcibly displaced more than 13 million people internally and pushed millions more to the brink of famine. Humanitarian access remains severely constrained across much of the country, making it exceptionally difficult to deliver life-saving aid to those in desperate need.

El Obeid's role as a major displacement hub means any assault would have immediate and severe consequences for a highly vulnerable population. Aid workers are reportedly preparing for mass movements of people fleeing the city, highlighting the grim reality that humanitarian organizations are bracing for the worst-case scenario. The disruption of basic services due to drone attacks, particularly the acute fuel shortages, directly impacts access to clean water, healthcare, and food, further compounding the suffering of residents.

International Calls for Immediate Action and Accountability

In light of these escalating threats, the UN Security Council has demanded that the Rapid Support Forces immediately halt its assault on El Obeid. Council members have reiterated that all parties to the conflict must protect civilians, comply with international humanitarian law, and uphold commitments made under the Jeddah Declaration, which includes provisions for facilitating safe humanitarian aid delivery and civilian protection.

The Council also expressed concern over the increase in drone attacks by both parties and called for all abuses and violations to be thoroughly investigated, with those responsible held accountable. Member States of the UN have been urged to refrain from any external interference that could fuel conflict and instability in Sudan and to support efforts towards a durable peace. Furthermore, the Security Council unequivocally reaffirmed its commitment to the sovereignty, independence, unity, and territorial integrity of Sudan, rejecting any attempt to establish parallel governing authorities in areas controlled by the RSF.

The current situation in El Obeid represents a critical juncture for Sudan and the international community. The repeated warnings from the highest levels of the United Nations underscore the urgent need for concerted and decisive action to prevent a further slide into widespread violence and human rights abuses. The fate of hundreds of thousands of civilians hangs in the balance, as the world watches whether these warnings will finally trigger the resolute response necessary to avert another devastating chapter in Sudan's ongoing conflict.