At least 14 civilians were killed and dozens wounded when the Rapid Support Forces attacked the town of Umm Arda southwest of El Obeid in North Kordofan state, local NGO Emergency Lawyers reported, as the paramilitary group claimed to have seized control of the strategic settlement.
The RSF launched a dawn ground assault on positions around Umm Arda and the Hashaba Hills on Friday, approximately 25 kilometres southwest of El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan. Artillery based around the city shelled advancing RSF units, with explosions echoing across El Obeid until mid-morning, according to Sudan Tribune.
In a statement, the RSF described the push as “a significant shift in field operations” and claimed full control over the Umm Arda area. However, a source within the Sudanese Armed Forces told AFP that the army had repelled two attacks in the Umm Arda and Jabal al-Hashaba areas, inflicting casualties on the RSF. Both sides circulated video footage on social media claiming control of the disputed positions.
40,000 Children Displaced
The NGO Emergency Lawyers, which has documented atrocities on both sides of the war, reported that the attack killed more than 14 civilians and wounded dozens more, triggering a wave of civilian displacement. “The area is witnessing a worsening of the humanitarian catastrophe in areas already suffering from a siege and a lack of basic services,” the group warned, noting that humanitarian aid had been suspended in several areas.
Save the Children reported that approximately 40,000 children had fled to El Obeid to escape fighting in North Kordofan, describing a “significant increase in cases of child malnutrition” and “severe food shortages” in two displacement camps. A water shortage was compounding the crisis, the charity said, with some families spending nearly half of their day searching for water.
AFP was unable to independently verify the details and outcome of the fighting due to the difficulty of accessing the area and disruptions to communication networks.
Fourth Year of War
The Sudanese civil war, now in its fourth year, has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions. The army holds sway in central and eastern regions, while the RSF controls most of Darfur in the west and parts of the south. North Kordofan has emerged as a key battleground, with El Obeid serving as the last major government-held city in the state.
The fighting around El Obeid comes amid ongoing international efforts to broker a ceasefire. In July, the RSF accepted a truce framework proposed by the United States but rejected demands to withdraw from occupied territories, complicating peace negotiations.
Sources: AFP via BSS News; Sudan Tribune; Emergency Lawyers; Save the Children
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