The United States on Monday warned that mass atrocities could soon be perpetrated in Sudan as paramilitary forces encircle the city of El-Obeid, with Washington echoing fears expressed by the United Nations. The majority-Muslim southern city, in the Kordofan region, has been under siege for several months by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which has been at war with the regular army since April 2023.
US State Department Issues Urgent Warning
The US State Department said: “The United States is deeply concerned by reports that the RSF and their allied forces are massing forces around El Obeid. There are alarming indications that mass atrocities could be imminent.” The statement urged the RSF and allied forces to cease any actions that could endanger civilians, impede humanitarian assistance, or contribute to further atrocities and suffering.
UN Security Council Expresses Similar Concerns
The UN Security Council on Saturday expressed the same concerns and called on paramilitary forces encircling El-Obeid to back down. The United Nations has voiced fears that there could be a repeat of atrocities committed during the October 2025 assault on the Sudanese city of El-Fasher, which it said bore hallmarks of genocide.
Mass Displacement and Hunger Crisis
The conflict in Sudan has killed tens of thousands of people and forced more than 11 million from their homes, creating what the UN describes as the world’s largest displacement and hunger crises. The RSF and allied forces must cease any actions that could endanger civilians, impede humanitarian assistance, or contribute to further atrocities and suffering, the US statement added.
