International community warns of imminent mass atrocities as RSF encircles Sudanese city of El-Obeid

Jun 22, 2026

The international community, including the US, UK, and UN, has warned of imminent mass atrocities in Sudan as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) encircle the strategic city of El-Obeid. Home to 500,000 people, the city has faced devastating RSF drone strikes on power, water, and fuel infrastructure. Observers fear a repeat of the genocidal violence seen in El-Fasher, while the Sudanese military attempts to mount a defense of this critical transport corridor.

RSF encirclement of El-Obeid

▪The encirclement of El-Obeid by the Rapid Support Forces has been ongoing for several months.
▪The Rapid Support Forces and allied militias have encircled and massed forces around the strategic Sudanese city of El-Obeid.

Strategic importance of El-Obeid

▪El-Obeid contains a sprawling air base and serves as the home to a Sudanese military infantry division.
▪El-Obeid is located on Sudan's main east-west road leading to the Nile Valley and the capital city of Khartoum.

Drone strikes on infrastructure

▪Rapid Support Forces drone strikes have targeted El-Obeid's main power station, fuel depots, electricity lines, and water infrastructure.
▪Recent drone attacks on infrastructure in El-Obeid have cut off essential services for over 500,000 people, including 200,000 internally displaced civilians.

International warnings of atrocities

▪The United States State Department warned that mass atrocities could be imminent if the Rapid Support Forces assault El-Obeid.
▪The United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Ireland, Italy, and Norway issued a joint statement warning that El-Obeid is on the precipice of an atrocity.
▪United Nations officials warned that an assault on El-Obeid could mirror the October 2025 assault on El-Fasher, which bore hallmarks of genocide.

Military defensive capabilities

▪A Sudanese military official stated that recent army drone strikes destroyed a Rapid Support Forces battalion and over 50 armored vehicles in West Kordofan.
▪The Sudanese military has prioritized defending El-Obeid and the east-west corridor to the Nile Valley since breaking a yearlong siege on the city.

RSF offensive prospects

▪The Rapid Support Forces have deployed air defense systems in Abu Zabad, West Kordofan, to serve as a logistical hub for operations targeting El-Obeid and Dilling.
▪Analysts suggest the Rapid Support Forces' force strength is reduced due to defensive battles and intertribal fighting, which may impact their ability to sustain a siege.