UN Warns of Mass Atrocities as RSF Advances on Sudan's El Obeid

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia in Sudan is reported to be preparing a major offensive on the city of El Obeid, a hub of roughly 500,000 residents in the Kordofan region. A video shared on social media shows a long column of RSF vehicles and soldiers near the city, raising fears of a large‑scale attack.

At the UN Human Rights Council, Norway’s ambassador Tormod Endresen, speaking on behalf of 29 countries including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Spain and Sweden, warned that the situation could lead to extensive human‑rights violations, such as extrajudicial killings and sexual violence. He cited recent drone strikes that have killed at least 50 civilians in El Obeid and the wider North Kordofan state.

The countries called on all parties to immediately de‑escalate and respect international law, emphasizing that up to half a million civilians could be caught in the crossfire if the RSF proceeds with its assault.