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US URGES SUDAN’S RSF TO CEASE OPERATIONS ENDANGERING CIVILIANS
The United States Department of State has expressed deep concerns over the massing of Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) around El Obeid, a key western Sudanese city, citing ‘alarming indications’ of imminent mass atrocities that pose a severe threat to hundreds of thousands of civilians. According to US officials, the RSF’s military buildup raises the specter of an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in the region.
The warning from the US State Department highlights the presence of over 500,000 civilians in the El Obeid area, a number that includes approximately 100,000 displaced people forced to flee their homes due to ongoing conflict. The State Department urgently advises the RSF to cease actions that could exacerbate the humanitarian situation in the region by blocking aid delivery or targeting civilians.
The concerns over impending atrocities are echoed by British Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, who has expressed his belief that El Obeid is on the ‘precipice of an atrocity.’ This warning draws a disturbing parallel to the 2023 assault on El Fasher, which saw devastating consequences for civilians caught in the crossfire. The UK and US governments are urging the RSF to act with restraint and prevent the escalation of violence in the western Sudanese region.
Tensions have been escalating in Sudan in recent weeks, with multiple factions vying for control in a country plagued by instability and poverty. The RSF, a powerful paramilitary force loyal to the transitional military government, has been accused of numerous human rights abuses and war crimes throughout Sudan’s ongoing conflict.
As concerns over the situation in El Obeid grow, international actors are closely monitoring the situation, with diplomatic efforts underway to facilitate a peaceful resolution and prevent a humanitarian catastrophe. The US State Department has called on all parties involved to prioritize the safety of civilians, underscoring the urgent need for restraint and respect for humanitarian law. The global community remains deeply invested in a peaceful resolution to Sudan’s ongoing crisis, with the protection of civilians at the forefront of diplomatic efforts.