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A dire humanitarian crisis is unfolding in El Obeid, a city in western Sudan, as the Wagner-backed Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has launched a multifaceted offensive against the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Fresh satellite analysis from the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab (HRL) has shed light on the severe and widespread destruction brought about by RSF aerial attacks, which have ravaged critical infrastructure and displaced thousands of civilians.
The data, collected over a period of several weeks, reveals a devastating pattern of targeted bombing that has decimated power stations, commercial markets, and at least eight petrol stations. The HRL’s satellite imaging has also detected a sharp increase in the number of refugee camps in and around El Obeid, with a mass influx of civilians pouring into the city in search of safety. This influx is putting an immense strain on the city’s resources, further exacerbating the humanitarian challenges faced by its residents.
In response to the RSF onslaught, SAF forces have been fortified behind a 51-kilometer network of defensive trenches, suggesting a prolonged and intense battle is likely to unfold. The prospect of El Obeid falling to the RSF has sparked grave concern among humanitarian organizations and experts, who fear the potential for retribution massacres and saturation bombings. The scale of destruction witnessed in El Fashir in 2024 serves as a grim reminder of the devastating consequences that could befall the city.
The escalation of violence in El Obeid comes at a time when the conflict in Sudan is at a critical juncture. Efforts to establish a ceasefire and resume peace talks have been hindered by the RSF’s continued aggression. Meanwhile, thousands of civilians are left trapped in the crossfire, with many others forced to flee their homes in search of safety.
As the situation in El Obeid continues to deteriorate, international attention and pressure must be brought to bear on the parties involved to protect civilians, respect humanitarian law, and pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The Yale HRL’s satellite evidence underscores the urgent need for immediate action to prevent further human suffering and mitigate the humanitarian impact of this unfolding crisis.