U.S. Warns RSF Buildup Near El Obeid Could Trigger Mass Atrocities

The United States warned on Monday of possible “mass atrocities” near Sudan’s El Obeid, North Kordofan’s capital, after reports said Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were gathering around the city.

In a statement, U.S. State Department spokesperson Thomas Pigott said the RSF buildup could increase the risk of attacks against civilians and infrastructure and escalation of violence across the Kordofan region.

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Human Rights Watch tied the warning to the UN Security Council’s June 20 warning of the “imminent risk of mass atrocities” in El Obeid, describing the city as the epicenter of fierce fighting between the RSF and the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF).

HRW said the conflict, which broke out in April 2023, has claimed tens of thousands of lives, caused millions to flee their homes, and created one of the world’s worst humanitarian disasters.

HRW also said UN human rights chief Volker Türk issued a “stark warning” on June 18 over the risk of atrocities as RSF forces are reportedly encircling El Obeid.

Human Rights Watch urged the UN Security Council to discuss urgent steps to deter the RSF when it meets on Sudan on June 26, including imposing new sanctions on commanders and key supporters of the RSF.

HRW said the Security Council should focus on RSF backers in the UAE, and it cited HRW reporting that hundreds of Colombian private military contractors transited through UAE military facilities before being deployed to Sudan to support the RSF.

Alwihda Info

HRW researcher Mohamed Osman said in a statement that HRW called for stronger international action to prevent further atrocities in Sudan and warned that civilians in El Obeid face an imminent risk of mass violence as fighting intensifies between the RSF and the SAF.

Dabanga Radio TV Online reported HRW’s call on the SAF to ensure that former RSF commanders who defect to the SAF are held accountable for alleged war crimes and serious human rights abuses.

Dabanga Radio TV Online also said HRW’s appeal followed defections of two senior RSF commanders in 2026, including Ali Rizqallah, known by the nom de guerre ‘El Savanna’, who joined the SAF in May.

Alwihda Info reported that during a UN Security Council briefing on the ICC investigation into Darfur, Ambassador Jeffrey Bartos said the United States believes members of the RSF and allied militias have committed acts of genocide.

“During a United Nations Security Council briefing devoted to the International Criminal Court (ICC) investigation into the situation in Darfur, Ambassador Jeffrey Bartos, the United States’ representative for management and reform at the UN, delivered a firm statement on the Sudan crisis and accountability for perpetrators of crimes”

Alwihda Info

Alwihda Info said Washington cited targeted killings on an ethnic basis, including against children and infants, and “widespread sexual violence against women and girls,” while also saying civilians fleeing the fighting were targeted and deprived of access to humanitarian aid.

Alwihda Info quoted Bartos saying, “there are no good actors in this conflict, except for Sudanese civilians,” and said the United States unequivocally condemned abuses committed by both sides while calling for all those responsible to answer for their acts.

Human Rights Watch, as reported by Dabanga Radio TV Online, urged Sudanese authorities to cooperate with ongoing regional and international investigations and said Sudan is obligated under international law to investigate and prosecute atrocity crimes.

Dabanga Radio TV Online added that HRW urged international partners to support accountability efforts and seek an expansion of International Criminal Court jurisdiction beyond Darfur to cover all of Sudan.