Humanitarian groups warn El-Obeid faces imminent RSF offensive risking mass atrocities

El-Obeid, Sudan — Thirty-eight humanitarian organisations warned on Friday that the Sudanese city of El-Obeid faces an imminent ground offensive by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied militias, risking mass atrocities against civilians. The joint appeal, published the same day, comes as the United Nations special envoy Pekka Haavisto cautioned that thousands of civilians could face grave danger if fighting intensifies around the city, citing frequent drone strikes and severe disruptions to humanitarian operations.

The NGOs, including Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, urged the UN Security Council to deploy an immediate and independent investigative mission to El-Obeid, drawing parallels with past atrocities in Darfur. “The situation in El-Obeid is rapidly deteriorating and resembles the early stages of previous crises in Darfur,” Haavisto told reporters on Thursday . The UN migration agency meanwhile reported that over 1,430 people fled five villages in North Darfur’s Umbro locality on Tuesday alone, with some crossing into Chad as RSF attacks continue .

Humanitarian access to El-Obeid has been severely restricted, with aid groups warning that a full-scale assault would trigger a catastrophic displacement crisis. “An offensive on El-Obeid would put tens of thousands of civilians in the direct path of violence,” said a spokesperson for the 38 NGOs . The city, a strategic crossroads in North Kordofan, has already seen intermittent clashes and airstrikes in recent weeks, with local reports indicating rising civilian casualties.

The RSF, a paramilitary group that has been battling Sudan’s army since April 2023, has expanded its operations into new regions, including North Darfur and North Kordofan. The UN’s warning follows a pattern of escalating violence that has displaced over 10 million people across Sudan since the conflict began. Médecins Sans Frontières reported last week that medical facilities in El-Obeid are operating at 30% capacity due to shortages of staff and supplies, further endangering civilians caught in the crossfire.

International observers fear that without urgent intervention, El-Obeid could become another flashpoint for ethnic-targeted violence, echoing the 2003–2008 Darfur genocide. The UN Security Council is expected to convene an emergency session next week to discuss the crisis, with diplomats indicating that sanctions or a Chapter VII mandate may be considered if the offensive proceeds.