The situation is terrible’: aid workers on life in Sudanese city pummelled by drone strikes
The situation is terrible – El Obeid, a city of half a million residents in Sudan, has become a focal point of the escalating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Aid volunteers like Fatima, who has adopted a pseudonym to protect herself from retaliation, describe a harrowing reality where drone strikes have grown increasingly frequent and devastating. The most recent attacks, which occurred over the weekend, targeted schools and fuel stations, leaving more than 20 people dead and several others injured, according to Fatima. She claims that the number of drones flying overhead has reached a point where counting them has become a daily ritual for locals.
Aid worker accounts highlight civilian suffering
Fatima’s experience is echoed by other humanitarian workers who document the relentless toll on civilian life. In a voice note shared with Avaaz, she described how people now live in constant fear, with even funerals marked by a shift in tone. Instead of traditional prayers, conversations at memorials center on the manner of death, reflecting the pervasive trauma of the conflict. “Even the way people talk at funerals is different,” she said. “They would be discussing how the victims died rather than offering comfort.”
“The signs from El Obeid are clear and unmistakable: another human rights catastrophe is unfolding in Sudan,” stated Volker Türk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, during an urgent debate in Geneva. The UK-led session, supported by Germany, Ireland, Norway, and the Netherlands, aimed to address the escalating crisis. Türk emphasized that the attacks are not a test, but a critical warning that demands immediate global attention.
El Obeid’s strategic location, sandwiched between RSF-controlled areas in western Darfur and SAF regions in the east, has made it a battleground for control. The city hosts an SAF infantry division and an airbase, which are crucial for the military’s operations. However, the RSF’s proximity has led to intensified attacks on infrastructure, including the main power station, which was hit last week. This strike caused widespread blackouts, disrupting essential services and plunging the city into darkness.
Humanitarian concerns and infrastructure damage
Experts warn that the RSF’s concentrated forces around El Obeid signal an imminent ground offensive. An independent analysis by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab identified damage to electricity generation, fuel storage, and the central market, suggesting deliberate targeting of civilian facilities. “This damage is consistent with intentional bombardment of infrastructure vital for sustaining life,” the report concluded. The findings align with broader fears of a repeat of the El Fasher massacre in 2025, when RSF fighters killed dozens during a 18-month siege.
“The RSF’s seizure of El Fasher showed the hallmarks of genocide against non-Arab communities,” said an UN fact-finding mission. Amnesty International later corroborated this, reporting that the paramilitary group had carried out ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity during its campaign to capture the city. These accusations have intensified concerns about a potential repeat in El Obeid, where at least 45 people were killed and 41 injured in 15 drone strikes between June 6 and June 28, according to the UN human rights office.
El Obeid has also seen a surge in displaced populations, with approximately 100,000 refugees fleeing violence in surrounding areas. Fatima described how merchants have raised prices, citing drone attacks on supply routes as a justification. “They say their goods are targeted by drones as they travel from other parts of the country,” she explained. This has created a cycle of scarcity and economic hardship, with fuel shortages driving up transportation costs and making escape from the city more difficult.
Escalating tensions and global response
Residents like Ahlam, a humanitarian worker who has also chosen to remain anonymous, have grown desensitized to the constant threat of drone strikes. “In just two weeks, nearly every essential service and critical infrastructure has been hit,” she said. Despite the trauma, some have considered leaving, but the cost of fuel and the instability of the situation have made it impractical. Ahlam fears that further escalation could lead to catastrophic consequences, with the already high number of displaced people in the city set to rise dramatically.
Will Davies, Sudan director at Avaaz, has raised alarm over the RSF’s use of drones to strike at civilian targets. He noted that the attacks have been a key factor in the growing humanitarian crisis, compounding the challenges of access and aid distribution. The UK’s initiative to convene the Geneva debate underscores the urgency of the situation, with diplomats and officials pressing for action to prevent further atrocities.
The conflict in El Obeid is emblematic of the broader war in Sudan, where drone strikes have become a preferred method of warfare. With the SAF constructing about 30 miles of defensive positions around the city, it appears the military is preparing for a prolonged siege. This has created a stalemate, with both sides vying for control of strategic assets while civilians endure the brunt of the violence. Fatima’s account, along with those of other aid workers, paints a grim picture of life in the city, where every day brings the threat of another strike.
As the situation deteriorates, the international community faces a critical decision. Will the warnings from the UN and human rights organizations translate into decisive action? For now, the people of El Obeid continue to live on the edge, their survival hinging on the outcomes of a war that shows no signs of slowing down. The city’s infrastructure lies in ruins, and its residents have become adept at counting the drones that now dominate their skies, a silent reminder of the relentless conflict that has taken root in their lives.
