Britain And Six European Allies Urge RSF Halt Of Imminent El-Obeid Offensive

Britain and six European allies urged an immediate halt to violence targeting the Sudanese city of El-Obeid, warning of credible signs of an imminent offensive by the Rapid Support Forces.

“Drone War in Al-Obeid: A Tactical Shift Threatening Civilians and the Military Supply Lifeline in Kordofan”

BBC

In a joint statement issued Tuesday by the UK Foreign Office, the countries said repeated drone strikes in recent weeks had killed civilians and caused severe shortages of fuel, food and water, while aid workers providing life-saving assistance had also been deliberately targeted.

BBC

Foreign Minister Yvette Cooper warned that atrocities seen in El Fasher in 2025 must not be repeated, saying El-Obeid is on the brink of further devastation.

The BBC reported that during extended hours from Wednesday evening to Thursday morning, Al-Obeid experienced one of the fiercest waves of drone bombardment since the war began, with an initial tally that killed 23 civilians and wounded 19 others, with expectations that the death toll would rise.

The BBC said local organizations accused the Rapid Support Forces of carrying out the attacks, while there had not yet been an official statement from the forces regarding those accusations.

It further described how one of the drones later targeted a gathering of citizens during the funeral procession for the victims of the first attack at Dalil Cemetery, killing four people and injuring seven others.

Dabanga Radio TV Online

In the UK government statement, Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said, "This cannot be repeated," referring to what she described as the Rapid Support Forces raping, pillaged, and murdering their way through El Fasher.

The BBC also reported that fears of repeated targeting prompted some families to delay funeral ceremonies, fearing that funeral processions would be attacked again.

The UK and allies warned that as rainy season approaches, continued attacks on fuel infrastructure risk worsening food shortages and plunging the region into darkness due to limited electricity supplies, while the UN Security Council said there will be no impunity for those committing war crimes.

“- UK and allies call on all parties to immediately halt attack and protect civilians to avoid further bloodshed - Foreign Secretary warns El Obeid on “precipice of atrocity” amid escalating violence - UN Security Council says there will be no impunity for those committing war crimes UK and allies are deeply concerned over continued Rapid Support Forces (RSF) drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in El Obeid, Sudan”

GOV.UK

The BBC said Al-Obeid is the largest urban center in the Kordofan region and a major gateway to the five Darfur states, and that it has become a major logistical and military hub for the Sudanese army, hosting the headquarters of the Fifth Infantry Division.

The UK statement said key supply routes across North Kordofan and White Nile states have been hit, alongside fuel stations and electricity lines, cutting off access to basic services for over 500,000 people, including 200,000 internally displaced people already forced to flee elsewhere in Sudan.

The BBC reported that over the past two years the city has welcomed successive waves of displaced people from various Kordofan and Darfur states, estimated at about one million, increasing pressure on health services, water, electricity, and housing—so attacks on residential neighborhoods or essential infrastructure directly affect large numbers of civilians.