At least three people were killed and nine others injured after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) launched a drone strike on the central Sudanese city of el-Obeid, as fighting escalates across the strategic Kordofan region. The attack highlights the RSF’s intensified use of air power following its recent takeover of Darfur in October.
RSF Targets Central Sudan as Offensive Expands
Military sources reported that the drone strike hit a square near a police station in the Tayba neighborhood of el-Obeid on Saturday afternoon. Several of the injured remain in critical condition.
This marks the latest escalation in Sudan’s ongoing civil war, as the RSF shifts its focus from Darfur to Kordofan—a region rich in resources and home to vital oil infrastructure that generates revenue for both Sudan and neighboring South Sudan.
Recent Clashes Across Kordofan
Reports indicate ongoing clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and RSF across multiple locations:
- Um Adara, South Kordofan: SAF targeted RSF positions.
- Um Rawaba, North Kordofan: RSF shelled the city, causing civilian casualties.
- Kosti, White Nile State: RSF drone struck army positions, destroying a military vehicle and injuring its crew.
The three Kordofan states have experienced fierce combat in recent weeks, displacing tens of thousands of civilians and worsening what aid organizations describe as one of the world’s worst humanitarian emergencies.
Humanitarian Crisis Deepens
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned that it may have to cut food rations by up to 70% for communities at risk of starvation starting in January due to critical funding shortages.
Ross Smith, WFP Emergency Preparedness Director, said the reductions would affect those already “on the brink of famine” and other vulnerable populations. Currently, an estimated 20 million Sudanese suffer from malnutrition, with six million living under famine-like conditions. Smith cautioned that funding could collapse by April, jeopardizing the program’s ability to operate.
Sudan War Background
Sudan has been embroiled in conflict since April 2023, when clashes erupted between the RSF and the Sudanese army. The ongoing war has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced nearly 13 million people according to international organizations.
The Kordofan region, strategically located and resource-rich, is now the central theater of conflict, as the RSF seeks to expand its territorial control beyond Darfur.
Implications of the RSF Drone Offensive
The use of drones by RSF indicates a tactical escalation in the conflict, increasing the threat to both civilians and military targets in urban areas. Analysts warn that continued attacks could destabilize central Sudan further and worsen the humanitarian crisis, particularly in regions heavily reliant on food aid.
Conclusion
The RSF drone strike in el-Obeid underscores the escalating violence in Sudan’s civil war and the severe humanitarian consequences for millions of civilians. With the conflict intensifying in Kordofan, international attention and aid are crucial to prevent further famine and civilian casualties.
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