Thursday, October 1, 2026

RN

Right News

Foreign Policy

Sudan's brutal civil war turns el-Obeid into a drone-strike battleground

As the Sudanese army and Rapid Support Forces clash for control, civilians are caught in the crossfire of a relentless aerial campaign.

Foreign PolicyPublished July 7, 2026 at 11:32 PM
A young woman and a boy, with bandages over their heads, sit in el-Obeid city on 12 January 2026. Both sustained injuries during a drone strike.

The city of el-Obeid, a critical strategic hub in central Sudan, has become the latest flashpoint in a three-year civil war between the national army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). As the army struggles to defend its military base in the region, the city is enduring a relentless onslaught of drone strikes, with 27 recorded in June alone.

These attacks have targeted fuel stations and critical infrastructure, creating a state of siege that has left the population of 500,000—including 100,000 internally displaced persons—living in constant fear.

While the RSF claims to operate in compliance with international law, the reality on the ground is a crumbling environment where basic services like electricity and water are increasingly at risk. Analysts note that el-Obeid remains vital for controlling supply corridors to Khartoum, ensuring that the city will remain a primary target for both sides.

As the violence intensifies, humanitarian organizations and international observers warn that the city could face a catastrophe similar to previous sieges in the region, leaving residents to face a daily struggle for survival in a conflict that shows no signs of abating.

Tags

sudancivil-warforeign-policyconflict

More in Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks during an annual plenary session of the Valdai Discussion Club, on October 2, 2025 in Sochi, Russia
Foreign Policy8h ago

Putin Doubles Down on Ukraine War as Kremlin Signals No End in Sight

Vladimir Putin shows no intention of halting the invasion of Ukraine, as the Kremlin doubles down on its military objectives and continues to threaten European stability through a campaign of hybrid warfare.

A firefighter wearing heavy duty black overalls with fluorescent green stripes holds a hosepipe next to a damaged buildings, which is at the scene of a Russian strike in the Kyiv region.
Foreign Policy17h ago

Russia Unleashes Massive Assault on Ukrainian Power Grid

Russia launched its most significant attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure since the end of the last heating season, hitting 11 regions and causing widespread power disruptions.

A member of the Iraqi security forces gestures as he travels in a convoy through Baghdad, Iraq (30 September 2026)
Foreign Policy20h ago

Mission Accomplished: US and UK Forces Complete Withdrawal from Iraq

The final British and American troops have exited Iraq, marking the successful conclusion of Operation Inherent Resolve and the decisive defeat of the Islamic State's territorial caliphate.