Violent Shelling in El-Obeid, Sudan: A Humanitarian Crisis Unfolds

Recent shelling in El-Obeid, Sudan, by paramilitary forces has resulted in six fatalities. This violence follows a prolonged siege by the RSF and has caused numerous civilian injuries. The ongoing conflict between military factions has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in the country, with millions displaced and on the brink of famine.

In El-Obeid, Sudan, shelling by paramilitary forces killed six individuals, including a child, according to a doctor. This tragic event occurred shortly after the army’s recent lifting of a prolonged siege on the city, which has faced constant bombardment for over a week by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The conflict between the RSF and the army has persisted since April 2023, marking a devastating chapter in Sudan’s ongoing turmoil.

Sources indicate that the violence escalated on Thursday evening and into Friday morning, injuring eight civilians amidst the attacks. Previously, on Sunday, the conflict had claimed the lives of nine civilians, with 21 others injured. The RSF has intensified efforts to regain territory lost to the army, launching assaults from northern and eastern directions.

El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan and a critical junction between Khartoum and Darfur, recently emerged from a nearly two-year siege by the RSF. Despite military gains in central regions and Khartoum, the RSF continues to solidify its control over Darfur and some southern areas.

What initially stemmed from a power struggle between army leader Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan and RSF chief Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo has now culminated in a humanitarian disaster, resulting in significant displacement and a looming famine crisis in Sudan. The conflict has led to tens of thousands of fatalities and over 12 million people being uprooted from their homes.

The ongoing conflicts in Sudan, particularly the recent shelling in El-Obeid, underscore the severity of the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region. As the RSF continues to exert its influence, the situation has escalated into a dire scenario marked by significant loss of life and displacement. Without urgent intervention and resolution, Sudan risks further descent into chaos and famine.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com