A deepening crisis is unfolding in Sudan’s besieged city of Al-Obeid, where civilians are trapped in worsening conditions and violence shows no sign of easing, the United Nations has warned, according to Arab News.
Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, told the Human Rights Council in Geneva that the situation reflects a troubling pattern of abuse. He said people in Al-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, have endured nearly 18 months of siege-like conditions, facing severe shortages of clean water and constant fear from drone attacks.
The city has become a frontline in Sudan’s long-running war between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a conflict that has already created one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. Many displaced families had sought refuge in Al-Obeid, only to find themselves caught in fresh danger.
According to the UN, at least 45 civilians were killed and 41 injured in 15 drone strikes between June 6 and 28. These attacks highlight a growing reliance on drones in the conflict, often with deadly consequences for ordinary people.
Turk said his office has documented serious abuses across the Kordofan region, including summary executions, abductions, torture, and sexual violence, particularly along routes used by those fleeing violence. He warned the world not to repeat its inaction seen in Al-Fashir last year, where thousands were killed after the RSF seized the city.
Britain called for the emergency UN session, warning that up to 500,000 civilians could be at risk if violence escalates further. Meanwhile, Sudan’s government urged international powers to stop the flow of weapons to the RSF, arguing that outside support is fueling the conflict.
For many in Al-Obeid, survival has become a daily struggle, as the sounds of war draw ever closer.
