At least 40 civilians were killed in an attack by Sudan’s paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on the city of el-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan province, as fighting continues to escalate in Sudan’s ongoing civil war. Local media reports indicate that drone strikes targeted a funeral service in el-Obeid on Monday, causing multiple civilian deaths.

Kordofan and Darfur: Epicenters of Violence

The Kordofan and neighboring Darfur regions have emerged as major battlegrounds in Sudan’s conflict, which began in 2023 when tensions erupted between the RSF and the Sudanese military. Last week, the RSF captured el-Fasher, the last army stronghold in Darfur, before advancing into North Kordofan.

According to the Sudan Doctors Network, RSF fighters recently attacked the town of Bara, killing at least 47 people, including nine women. Reports describe horrific crimes, with dozens of bodies reportedly left unburied in homes after the RSF blocked families from performing burials.

Humanitarian Crisis Worsens

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs warned that the humanitarian situation in Kordofan is deteriorating rapidly. Over 24 million people in Sudan face acute food insecurity, according to the World Food Program, and tens of thousands have been displaced due to the fighting.

RSF attacks in el-Fasher have previously resulted in over 450 civilian deaths, including medical professionals and aid workers. Dr. Adam Ibrahim Ismail, a local doctor, was reportedly shot dead by RSF forces during the city’s siege.

Ross Smith, director of emergency response at the World Food Program, highlighted the severe malnutrition crisis, noting that many Sudanese are going days without food, and mortality rates are rising as conflict disrupts access to aid.

Conflict Overview

The RSF and Sudanese military were initially allied to oversee a democratic transition following the 2019 uprising. Their subsequent split triggered a brutal war that has claimed at least 40,000 lives and displaced 12 million people. Satellite imagery, survivor testimonies, and online videos document widespread atrocities, though the RSF denies responsibility.

Global Concern

The escalating violence in Kordofan and Darfur has drawn international attention, highlighting both the human rights abuses and the growing famine crisis in conflict-affected regions of Sudan. Aid agencies continue to urge the international community to increase humanitarian support as the situation deteriorates.