Paramilitary Attacks Raise Fears of Mass Violence in Sudan Amid Ongoing War

By the Editorial Team · Thursday, June 25, 2026

Paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces has deployed significant troops near El Obeid, raising fears of renewed large-scale violence in the central Sudanese city. This buildup has drawn international concern due to the potential for atrocities similar to last year’s deadly RSF attack in El Fasher, prompting calls for urgent monitoring and prevention efforts.

Paramilitary attacks near the central Sudanese city of El Obeid have heightened concerns among international observers about the potential for renewed mass violence as the country’s ongoing conflict enters its fourth year. El Obeid, a city with a population of approximately 500,000, is reportedly facing significant troop deployments by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group involved in Sudan’s prolonged war.

The United Nations has expressed deep alarm over the situation. A spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres warned against a repetition of the brutal violence that occurred in El Fasher last year, when over 6,000 people were killed in just three days during the RSF’s seizure of the city. The United Nations has described that attack as bearing the “hallmarks of genocide.”

The UN Security Council has also acknowledged reports of substantial RSF reinforcements around El Obeid, located in the North Kordofan region. Officials from the United States, the United Kingdom, and several European countries have voiced concerns about the increasing risk of atrocities as tensions escalate.

Military analysts suggest that the RSF’s concentration of forces near El Obeid signals preparations for an offensive aimed at retaking control of the city. However, whether the RSF will succeed depends on various unpredictable factors, including resistance from opposing forces and broader military developments in the region.

Requests for comment from the Rapid Support Forces were not immediately answered. Meanwhile, humanitarian groups and international actors continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the urgent need to prevent a recurrence of widespread civilian casualties and human rights abuses witnessed during previous episodes of the conflict.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.