Mounting Tensions in El-Obeid
El-Obeid, a pivotal city in Sudan's ongoing civil conflict, is witnessing intensified drone attacks, with fears of escalating violence looming over its residents. A university student, identified as Sarah for safety reasons, recounted a harrowing experience when a drone strike hit a crowded fuel station. "The scene was chaotic with injured people and destroyed vehicles," she described.
El-Obeid, controlled by the Sudanese army, is strategically significant due to its location between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF)-held west and the army-controlled east. The city hosts a major military base and has been targeted by 27 drone strikes in June alone, marking the highest monthly total since the conflict began, according to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data Project (Acled).
Humanitarian Concerns
UN Human Rights Chief Volker Turk has reported alarming conditions in the city, citing at least 45 fatalities and 41 injuries from 15 drone strikes in June. He noted that the city has been under siege-like conditions for 18 months, with reports of severe human rights abuses such as executions, abductions, and sexual violence occurring along escape routes.
Medical facilities in El-Obeid are overwhelmed with casualties. A local doctor shared the distressing case of a seven-month-old baby who succumbed to injuries after an amputation. "Every day is uncertain; we may not return home," the doctor said, reflecting on the community's fear of unpredictable drone strikes.
Strategic Importance and Military Dynamics
Nathaniel Raymond from Yale University's Humanitarian Research Lab highlighted El-Obeid's strategic importance, as controlling it means controlling the road to Khartoum and Omdurman. The RSF has encircled the city from multiple directions, but the army has reinforced its positions with allied militias to maintain a critical supply route.
Amnesty International warned of potential violence in El-Obeid akin to the RSF's previous actions in El-Fasher, where a siege resulted in mass casualties. However, Raymond noted that the ethnic dynamics in El-Obeid differ, and there is no current indication of a large-scale RSF assault.
Impact on Civilians
Drone strikes have primarily targeted fuel stations and tankers, leading to severe fuel shortages and inflated prices. The main electrical substation and residential areas have also been attacked, threatening essential services like water supply. "Without fuel and electricity, water pumps will fail, leading to potential waterborne diseases," Raymond warned.
El-Obeid is home to many displaced individuals seeking refuge from other violent areas. However, as drone strikes intensify, the sense of safety is diminishing. A humanitarian worker, Ahmed, expressed concern about needing to flee again, having previously left Kadugli and Khartoum. "Fear is constant, and many spend sleepless nights outdoors," he shared.
Residents, including Sarah, live in a state of uncertainty, often saying goodbye to their families each day, unsure if they will return home. The situation in El-Obeid remains tense, with the potential for further escalation as both sides vie for control.
Source: Original Article
