EU Warns Rapid Support Forces Of Consequences For Attacks On Civilians In Sudan's El-Obeid

The European Union warned of consequences for attacks on civilians in Sudan's El-Obeid, urging the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to immediately halt military operations in and around the city in North Kordofan.

“El Obeid, June 16, 2025 / 10:30 (ACI Africa)”

ACI Afrique

In a statement issued by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, the bloc said it was "seriously alarmed" by the situation in El-Obeid and warned that a major RSF military buildup threatens approximately 500,000 civilians sheltering in the city, including around 100,000 internally displaced people.

ACI Afrique

The EU said the RSF must immediately cease all military operations in and around El-Obeid that put civilians at risk, adding "El-Obeid cannot become another El Fasher," referring to the besieged city in Darfur.

Al Jazeera reported that drone strikes are disrupting daily life in El-Obeid, targeting fuel stations, power supplies and water infrastructure, while the army says it remains in control of the strategic city and the RSF continues attacks aimed at weakening its position and pressuring civilians to leave.

The Emergency Lawyers group in Sudan said at least 23 people were killed in drone attacks targeting El Obeid on Wednesday evening, with the attacks continuing until this morning, and it said initial tallies left 23 dead and 19 others injured.

In a press release, the group said "Drones belonging to the Rapid Support Forces targeted the city of El Obeid in North Kordofan on Wednesday evening" and described how the attacks initially killed five civilians and wounded 12, then mourners were targeted at the cemetery.

Africa24 TV

The group said homes in the Employees' and Airport neighborhoods, and areas surrounding the Fifth Infantry Division headquarters, were bombed, killing 13 civilians as they gathered near destroyed houses, and it also said a truck loaded with food supplies was targeted at the city’s southern entrance, killing its driver.

Al Jazeera Net reported that shelling by the Rapid Support Forces on El-Obeid left many homes in ruins, killed several residents, and destroyed fuel and electricity stations, and it said eyewitnesses reported drones destroyed several houses and killed seven people in one neighborhood.

The EU warned that attacks targeting civilians, preventing their safe passage, or deliberately obstructing humanitarian access would constitute violations of international humanitarian law and could prompt the bloc to consider "robust measures" against those responsible.

“Toggle Play Sudan’s El Obeid faces intensifying RSF drone attacks Drone strikes are disrupting daily life in Sudan’s El Obeid, targeting fuel stations, power supplies and water infrastructure”

Al Jazeera

It also called on all parties to fully respect international humanitarian and human rights law, including the protection of civilians, particularly women and girls, as well as civilian infrastructure, and it urged foreign actors to end any direct or indirect support fueling the conflict.

Al Jazeera Net said the ongoing shelling of fuel depots has undermined services including water, electricity, education, health, and transportation, and it cited Abdul-Nasser Abdullah, the executive director of Shikan locality, in linking the damage to daily-life disruptions.

The same report said the El-Fashir scenario looms over El-Obeid, with UN and international warnings of a looming humanitarian and human rights catastrophe, and it quoted UN High Commissioner Volker Turk issuing a warning from Geneva about field atrocities including intensified drone bombardment of infrastructure, extrajudicial killings, and sexual violence along displacement routes.