El-Obeid under siege by RSF: Could this be Sudan’s next el-Fasher?

El-Obeid, a significant city in Sudan, is currently facing a very serious situation. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are attacking and besieging the city, creating grave concern among international organizations. The United Nations (UN) is particularly concerned, warning that El-Obeid could be on the brink of a humanitarian 'catastrophe' if the conflict continues.

This urgent warning from the UN comes after terrible events that occurred last year in another Sudanese city, El-Fasher. In El-Fasher, the RSF committed severe atrocities against civilians, leading to widespread suffering, displacement, and destruction. The UN fears that the same level of violence and devastation could replicate itself in El-Obeid, jeopardizing the lives of countless individuals trapped within the city.

The siege of El-Obeid means that essential supplies like food and medicine are difficult to access, and people cannot safely leave. The UN is therefore calling for immediate action to protect civilians, ensure safe passage for humanitarian aid, and halt the ongoing fighting. They emphasize the critical need to prevent El-Obeid from becoming another example of the tragic consequences of the conflict in Sudan, urging all parties to respect international humanitarian law.