Rapid Support Forces renew assault on al-Obeid as mass grave with 25 bodies found in Sudan

Aug 12, 2026

Sudan's conflict intensifies as the Rapid Support Forces launch renewed drone and land attacks, targeting the strategic city of al-Obeid and striking Khartoum. Meanwhile, a mass grave containing at least 25 bodies, including women and children, is discovered in Kurmuk after the Sudanese army retakes the town. The ongoing war has killed an estimated 40,000 people and displaced over 14 million, creating the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

RSF renewed assault on al-Obeid

▪The Sudanese Rapid Support Forces renewed its assault on the city of al-Obeid on August 12, 2026, following recent losses on several fronts.
▪The city of al-Obeid has suffered a long Rapid Support Forces campaign involving drone attacks and siege tactics that decimated its power, fuel, food, and water supplies.
▪The strategically important city of al-Obeid was targeted by eight drones on August 12, 2026, killing two people and injuring others.

Drone strikes across Sudan

▪A drone crashed through a mosque's courtyard in the Bahri neighborhood of Khartoum North in the early morning of August 12, 2026.
▪Multiple drone strikes hit Khartoum and Atbara on August 12, 2026, marking the first such strikes in those cities since May 2026.
▪The Rapid Support Forces launched explosive drone attacks in the town of Kurmuk for two consecutive days leading up to August 11, 2026.

Mass grave discovery in Kurmuk

▪Sudanese armed forces discovered a mass grave containing at least 25 bodies in the northeastern part of the town of Kurmuk in southeastern Blue Nile State.
▪Kurmuk Commissioner Abdel Aty Mohamed al-Faki accused the Rapid Support Forces of executing the victims near Jebel Fankat, a hilltop position used to launch drone attacks.
▪Kurmuk Commissioner Abdel Aty Mohamed al-Faki announced the mass grave discovery on August 9, 2026, stating the remains included children, women, and hospital staff.

Army territorial gains in Kordofan

▪The Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces have recently amassed more forces in the Kordofan region, increasing the potential for renewed clashes.
▪The Sudanese army regained control of the town of Kurmuk in Blue Nile State approximately one month prior to August 11, 2026, after weeks of heavy fighting.
▪Recent gains by the Sudanese army include advances in the Kordofan region, southeastern Blue Nile state, and West Darfur state.

RSF capture of Geissan town

▪The Rapid Support Forces stated on August 11, 2026, that they had captured the town of Geissan in southeastern Blue Nile state.
▪The local government of Blue Nile state accused the Rapid Support Forces of attacking farmers in Geissan, stating that the Sudanese army was fighting back.

Sudan war humanitarian crisis

▪The war in Sudan has killed an estimated 40,000 people according to the World Health Organization and forced more than 14 million people to flee their homes.
▪The conflict between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces, which began in April 2023, has created what the United Nations considers the world's worst humanitarian crisis.
▪The city of al-Obeid is estimated to contain half a million inhabitants, including approximately 100,000 people previously displaced by the conflict.