A drone strike struck a funeral procession at a cemetery in el-Obeid, Sudan, killing at least four people and wounding several others, according to two rights organizations, the Sudan Doctors Network and Emergency Lawyers. Both groups attribute the attack to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Emergency Lawyers stated this was part of a series of drone strikes that began Wednesday evening, resulting in at least 23 deaths overall. The RSF has not issued a comment.
Background of the Conflict
El-Obeid, currently under army control, is a critical battleground in Sudan's three-year civil war. The conflict erupted after disagreements between army and RSF leaders over the country's future direction. The war has triggered the world's worst humanitarian crisis, displacing over 11 million people and leaving 28 million facing acute hunger. Although no reliable death toll exists, estimates suggest at least 50,000 have died.
Details of the Attacks
Emergency Lawyers reported that drones targeted homes in a residential area, the airport district, and zones near an army base. Thirteen civilians were killed as they gathered near destroyed houses. Additionally, five civilians died in earlier assaults. "It is tragic. The roofs of houses collapsed on their occupants. When you look at some houses, you feel no one could have survived," a resident told AFP.
On Thursday, a driver of a food supply truck was killed when his vehicle was hit, both groups confirmed. They describe systematic and repeated attacks on civilians in el-Obeid over several days.
Strategic Importance of El-Obeid
The city lies in Sudan's oil-rich Kordofan region, divided into North, South, and West Kordofan states. Its strategic location between RSF-controlled western areas and army-held eastern zones makes it a major front line. Analysts say control of the region effectively means control of the country's oil supply and a large portion of the nation.
