US raises concern as RSF forces encircle Sudanese city of el-Obeid
The United States has expressed concern over reports that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies are encircling el-Obeid in Sudan, warning of possible “mass atrocities” if the paramilitary grou
The United States has expressed concern over reports that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and its allies are encircling el-Obeid in Sudan, warning of p
Read Full Story at Al Jazeera →Why This Matters
The encirclement of el-Obeid by the RSF risks escalating Sudan’s already catastrophic humanitarian crisis into a full-blown regional destabilization. As one of the last major urban centers under government control, its fall would sever a critical lifeline for civilian aid and further entrench the RSF’s dominance—potentially setting a precedent for how future military campaigns are waged in Sudan.
Background Context
El-Obeid has long been a strategic crossroads in Sudan’s Kordofan region, historically serving as a buffer between the capital and peripheral rebel movements. The city’s infrastructure and trade networks have made it a target during past conflicts, including the Darfur war, where it became a flashpoint for ethnic violence and displacement.
What Happens Next
If the RSF secures el-Obeid, the government’s remaining strongholds in the north may collapse, forcing a stalemate or a de facto partition of Sudan. Diplomats will scramble to broker ceasefires, but the RSF’s momentum suggests they may prioritize territorial consolidation over negotiations—raising the specter of prolonged urban warfare.
Bigger Picture
This siege reflects a broader pattern of paramilitary forces leveraging tactical encirclements to break enemy morale and seize resources, a strategy seen in Yemen and Libya. The international community’s muted response thus far underscores the limits of its influence—and the growing normalization of irregular warfare in Africa’s post-colonial states.
