**Sudanese Paramilitaries Renew Assault on El Obeid Amid Ongoing Civil Conflict**
Sudan's paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has intensified its military operations against the strategically significant city of El Obeid. Reports indicate that this renewed assault is accompanied by drone strikes across various regions of the country, including the capital, Khartoum. Witnesses and local sources have provided insights into the escalating violence, which has resulted in casualties and heightened tensions in the area.
According to reports from Reuters, eight drones targeted El Obeid, prompting the Sudanese military to activate its air defense systems in response to the aerial threat. Medical sources have confirmed that the strikes resulted in the deaths of two individuals, with several others sustaining injuries. The situation in El Obeid is particularly dire, as the city is home to approximately half a million residents, including around 100,000 people who have been displaced due to the ongoing conflict.
The drone attacks are not isolated to El Obeid; similar incidents have been reported in Khartoum, Bahri, Atbara, and other locations. In one notable incident, a drone reportedly crashed into the courtyard of a mosque in Bahri, raising concerns about civilian safety amidst the ongoing military operations. Neither the RSF nor the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) has claimed responsibility for the drone strikes thus far.
The renewed violence in El Obeid is part of the broader civil war that has engulfed Sudan since April 2023. The conflict erupted following a power struggle between the SAF, led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the RSF, commanded by Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, commonly known as Hemedti. The tensions arose from disagreements over a planned transition to civilian governance, which ultimately led to widespread chaos and violence across the nation. Since the onset of the conflict, tens of thousands of people have lost their lives, and millions have been displaced.
Efforts to mediate peace in Sudan have faced significant challenges. Regional initiatives, including mediation by the African Union and talks facilitated by Saudi Arabia and the United States in Jeddah, have repeatedly stalled. Sudanese officials have alleged that foreign mercenaries, including individuals from Colombia and Ukraine, are supporting the RSF in their fight against the national army. Furthermore, accusations have been directed at Ukraine and the United Arab Emirates regarding their involvement in the conflict, while Sudanese authorities have expressed distrust towards regional mediators, particularly in relation to Kenya's alleged support for the RSF.
In a notable political development, the political coalition aligned with the RSF, known as TASIS, announced the formation of a rival government in July. This coalition named General Dagalo as the chairman of a newly established 15-member presidential council, a move that has been rejected by both the United Nations and the African Union.
As the conflict continues to escalate, the aerial campaign has persisted into the following days, with reports of ongoing drone attacks in the Khartoum area. Military sources have indicated that air defenses intercepted multiple unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over northern and western Omdurman, while residents reported hearing explosions as drones approached the city.
The violence has also spread to the Blue Nile region, where RSF forces, alongside allies from the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North (SPLM-N), have launched an offensive on the border town of Geisan. This has resulted in clashes with the Sudanese army and further exacerbated the already volatile situation in the country.
The recent military gains by the SAF, including the recapture of Kurmuk in Blue Nile state and several areas in North Kordofan, have added another layer of complexity to the conflict. In late July, the Sudanese army regained control over key territories, leading to a visit by army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan to frontline positions in the region.
As the situation in Sudan remains fluid, the international community continues to monitor developments closely, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing crisis that has led to immense suffering for the Sudanese people. The renewed assault on El Obeid and the accompanying drone strikes underscore the urgent need for a comprehensive peace agreement to restore stability and address the humanitarian needs of those affected by the conflict.