The US has warned that RSF and allied forces are massing around el-Obeid, raising fears of imminent "mass atrocities." The State Department and the UN urged restraint and immediate, unfettered humanitarian access. The UN Human Rights Council estimates about 500,000 people in el-Obeid face heightened risk, and reports cite 50 civilians killed by drone strikes in el-Obeid and North Kordofan over 10 days. International bodies compared the threat to a previous attack on el-Fasher that UN officials said bore "hallmarks of genocide."
US Warns Of Possible “Mass Atrocities” As RSF Forces Encircle El-Obeid
Men push a stuck cart towards Sudan at the Adre border post on June 8, 2026 [Joris Bolomey/AFP]
The United States has expressed serious concern over reports that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and allied fighters are encircling the city of el-Obeid in Sudan, warning that an assault could lead to "mass atrocities" and a catastrophic impact on civilians.
What the US Says
In a statement on Monday, the US State Department said the RSF was "massing forces" around el-Obeid and cautioned that any further escalation would have devastating consequences for civilians. The department reiterated calls for an immediate negotiated end to the fighting.
"There are alarming indications that mass atrocities could be imminent, further worsening Sudan’s already catastrophic humanitarian crisis," the statement said.
UN Warnings and Context
The US joined international observers, including the United Nations, in raising alarm about the situation. The RSF has been engaged in open conflict with Sudan’s armed forces since April 2023, a war that has killed tens of thousands and displaced millions, producing one of the world's most severe humanitarian emergencies.
The UN has warned that an assault on el-Obeid could resemble the earlier brutal attack on el-Fasher, which UN officials said showed "hallmarks of genocide." Over the weekend the UN Human Rights Council estimated that roughly 500,000 civilians in el-Obeid face an elevated risk of atrocities if the city is attacked.
Civilian Casualties and Aid Access
According to UN reporting cited by international bodies, some 50 civilians were killed by drone strikes across el-Obeid and North Kordofan during a recent 10-day period. The State Department urged the RSF and allied forces to stop any operations that would endanger civilians, obstruct humanitarian assistance, or contribute to additional atrocities.
"The belligerents must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians and ensure that those seeking safety can do so without fear or obstruction," the State Department said.
The United States called on all parties to facilitate safe, rapid and unhindered humanitarian access, protect civilians, and take immediate steps to prevent further atrocities.
Help us improve.
