All articles tagged with #sudan
El-Obeid, home to about 500,000 people, remains under threat as the RSF presses its siege in Sudan’s conflict, with relentless drone strikes crippling power and water infrastructure and prompting a humanitarian crisis in a country already hosting millions of displaced people; control of the city would sever a crucial supply route and could alter the war’s dynamics, prompting urgent international warnings and calls for action.
UN rights chief Volker Türk warned of a looming human rights catastrophe in El-Obeid, calling it a red alert and urging world leaders to act to prevent atrocities as fighting between the Sudanese army and the RSF continues around the city. Civilians face siege-like conditions with drone strikes damaging the power station and fuel depots, causing outages and shortages; at least 45 people were killed and 41 injured between June 6 and 28. The UNHRC held an urgent debate and a draft resolution is expected amid ongoing battles in North Kordofan.
The UN’s top human rights official warns of an impending catastrophe as the Rapid Support Forces tighten a siege around El Obeid, Sudan, threatening a repeat of Darfur-era bloodshed. Civilians in and around the city face siege-like conditions, drone strikes and disrupted access to aid and essential services as fighting between the SAF and RSF continues; UN experts say patterns of attacks against civilians point to war crimes and call for urgent international action to prevent mass atrocities.
Amnesty International concludes the RSF committed crimes against humanity and ethnic cleansing in and around El Fasher, North Darfur, detailing killings, torture, sexual violence, hostage-taking, forced child recruitment, and deliberate starvation during 2024–2025. Backed by 247 interviews, hundreds of videos, and satellite data, the report warns of ethnic-targeted persecution and possible genocide, and calls for an immediate nationwide ceasefire, deployment of an independent international protection force, accountability for senior RSF commanders, and a broader arms embargo.
The United Nations warns that the RSF paramilitary is closing in on el-Obeid, a strategic city in Sudan’s West Kordofan, risking a siege that could deepen civilian suffering as drone strikes damage power facilities, bridges and supply routes. The army says it will defend the city, while analysts caution the RSF remains a credible threat even if weakened. Officials urge an immediate halt to the offensive and safe civilian exits, noting a spike in drone-related deaths in the region.
The United States warned that RSF forces surrounding el-Obeid could trigger mass atrocities and urged a negotiated end to the Sudan conflict, calling for protection of civilians and unhindered humanitarian access. UN warnings say up to 500,000 civilians in el-Obeid face risk, as the war has displaced millions and killed tens of thousands.
Fighting in Sudan has escalated with both sides deploying explosive-laden drones that have killed more than 1,000 civilians in about five months, often striking hospitals, dams, schools, markets and displacement camps. The UN says roughly 34 million people are in need of aid, making this the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with atrocities including mass rape and ethnically motivated killings that rights groups call war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Human Rights Watch documents a UAE-backed operation that recruited, trained, and deployed Colombian PMCs to Sudan to support the RSF, with transit through UAE bases and hubs in Libya, Somalia, and Chad, and continued presence around El Fasher. By 2024-2025, hundreds of Colombian contractors fought alongside RSF forces and helped train recruits, including alleged child soldiers; the report highlights diverted UAE-sold equipment and bases, suggesting potential aiding-and-abetting war crimes and urging UN/EU/US investigations and sanctions. UAE denies involvement, but HRW calls for accountability and a broader arms embargo enforcement.
Sudan has recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia amid drone attacks, signaling rising diplomatic tensions between the two nations.
Sudan says four drone strikes were launched from Ethiopia using UAE-supplied drones and has recalled its ambassador, accusing Addis Ababa and the UAE of backing the attacks; Ethiopia denies the charges, and the UAE denies funding the RSF. The conflict has killed more than 150,000 and displaced about 14 million, with drones central to the fighting and rising regional interference.
Sudan alleges that drones used in strikes on Khartoum’s main airport and nearby military sites were launched from Bahir Dar, Ethiopia, implicating Ethiopia and the UAE amid a broader Sudanese conflict; Addis Ababa denies involvement and the UAE has not commented. Sudan has recalled its ambassador to Ethiopia, operations at the airport were suspended, and there were no reported injuries as the fighting between the Sudanese army and RSF continues.
Over three years of Sudan’s war, Dr. Jamal Eltaeb kept Al Nao Hospital in Omdurman open on the front line, rationing scarce medicines, finding fuel to power the lights, and making brutal life‑and‑death decisions to save as many patients as possible.
War and the collapse of health services in East Darfur have sparked a measles outbreak that has killed dozens and infected around 1,000 across Labado, as vaccination and medicine supplies dwindle and families struggle to reach care. Vaccines only began arriving in mid‑April after a months‑long gap, and official counts clash—Labado groups report about 70 deaths and 1,000 infections, while health officials cite roughly 26 deaths and 300 cases—highlighting a broader collapse of routine immunization and the toll on displaced communities.
A year after the SAF retook Khartoum, much of the capital is a ghost town as fighting continues across Sudan, exposing a massive humanitarian crisis with millions in need and displaced. Foreign backers, political infighting, and a politicized aid system complicate relief, while local activists and health officials voice resilience and advocate decentralizing health services to help rebuild the country.
A 44-year-old Iranian national with a US green card, Shamim Mafi, was arrested at Los Angeles airport for allegedly brokering the sale of Iranian-made drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds to Sudan's defence ministry, in violation of US sanctions. Prosecutors say she coordinated travel for a Sudanese delegation to Iran, received over €6 million, and prepared to broker a 55,000 bomb fuse deal via the IRGC; if convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison. The case underscores clandestine arms-brokering networks fueling Sudan's war.