On Friday, paramilitary forces shelled El-Obeid, killing six, including a child, following eight days of bombardment. A physician reported ongoing violence resulting in significant injuries and fatalities over recent days. The RSF has intensified its military operations to reclaim lost territories amid a broader humanitarian crisis, leading to extensive displacement and loss of life.
On Friday, Sudanese paramilitary forces shelled El-Obeid, resulting in the deaths of six individuals, including a child. This tragic event occurred just weeks after the Sudanese army lifted a prolonged siege of this strategically significant southern city. Reports indicate that El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, has faced continuous bombardment from the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) for eight days, amid an ongoing conflict with the army that began in April 2023.
A physician at El-Obeid’s primary hospital, who requested anonymity for safety concerns, reported that additional shelling injured eight civilians on Thursday night and early Friday morning. The toll from similar attacks has been alarming, with nine civilian casualties and 21 injuries reported on the previous Sunday alone. The RSF has intensified its efforts to regain territory lost to the army through these assaults from the north and east.
Last month, the military successfully ended a nearly two-year blockade by the RSF on El-Obeid, a crucial junction that connects Khartoum to the western regions of Darfur. This conflict has fragmented Sudan, with the RSF consolidating its control over areas in Darfur and parts of the southern region, while the army dominates the northern and eastern territories.
In recent weeks, the army has made significant advances, reclaiming many areas in Khartoum and central Sudan. What initially stemmed from a power struggle between army head Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and his former deputy and RSF leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, has evolved into one of the largest humanitarian crises globally, leading to extensive displacement and hunger. The ongoing violence has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and has uprooted over 12 million individuals, pushing Sudan towards a severe famine.
The recent shelling in El-Obeid demonstrates the escalating violence and ongoing humanitarian crisis in Sudan, exacerbated by the conflict between the RSF and the military. The situation has resulted in significant loss of life, injury to civilians, and widespread displacement, emphasizing the urgent need for international attention and intervention. As the struggle for control continues, the humanitarian toll mounts, bringing Sudan to a critical juncture.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
