Note: Single-source report; awaiting corroboration.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has highlighted persistent drone strikes on El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, Sudan, resulting in at least 45 civilian deaths across 15 attacks within three weeks. The strikes, carried out by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF)—former allies now in conflict—have targeted markets, schools, fuel stations, water infrastructure, and civilian vehicles.
The High Commissioner described the dire situation for civilians besieged in El Obeid, stating that many are forced to sell belongings to afford transport, yet often cannot leave due to ongoing attacks along exit routes. Documented violations along displacement paths include summary executions, abductions, torture, sexual violence, and looting.
This warning follows prior mass atrocities in North Darfur, including the reported killing of 6,000 people over three days in El Fasher last October and attacks on Zamzam camp, the region’s largest displacement camp. The High Commissioner underscored that these crimes were anticipated but not prevented.
He called on world leaders and the UN Security Council to take urgent action to halt the violence and address atrocity crimes, suggesting restrictions on the veto power in the Security Council as proposed by France and Mexico. Accountability efforts continue with the International Criminal Court’s involvement regarding Sudanese war victims.
El Obeid is home to over half a million residents and at least 100,000 internally displaced persons, many fleeing other areas of conflict in Sudan.