On Saturday, the Sudanese military successfully intercepted a drone attack launched by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) aimed at the strategic southern city of El-Obeid. This incident follows the RSF’s announcement just two days prior that it had accepted a truce proposal backed by the United States and several Middle Eastern nations.
The ongoing conflict between the RSF and the Sudanese army has been raging since April 2023, with significant violence leading to the RSF recently capturing El-Fasher, the last military stronghold of the army in western Darfur. The military’s air defense system was activated in response to the drone threat, successfully neutralizing the device before it could reach its target, according to a military source who spoke on the condition of anonymity.
El-Obeid, situated in North Kordofan state, is strategically important as it connects the capital, Khartoum, with the Darfur region. Control of El-Obeid would provide the RSF with a vital supply line, further increasing its leverage in the ongoing conflict. With the loss of El-Fasher, the RSF now asserts dominance over all five state capitals in western Sudan and portions of the south, while the army retains control over the majority of the north, east, and center of the country.
The takeover of El-Fasher has been marred by alarming reports of mass atrocities, including killings, sexual violence, and widespread looting, prompting international outcry and condemnation.
Despite the RSF’s commitment to a truce proposal, the United Nations expressed serious concerns regarding “clear preparations for intensified hostilities,” casting doubt on the sustainability of the ceasefire and the potential impact on civilians enduring the consequences of this protracted conflict. The war has already resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands, the displacement of nearly 12 million individuals, and a severe hunger crisis across the region. Both factions have faced accusations of committing grave atrocities during the prolonged fighting, highlighting a deepening humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
