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Paramilitary attack kills at least 15 civilians in Sudan's Al-Obeid
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Conflict & Security

Paramilitary attack kills at least 15 civilians in Sudan's Al-Obeid

From ABC Color · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Ongoing story
  • At least 15 civilians died and several were injured in an attack by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) paramilitary group on Al-Obeid, Sudan's North Kordofan state.
  • The RSF allegedly targeted unarmed civilians, looted livestock, and intimidated residents in the town of Burbur, according to state officials.
  • The UN warns of severe human rights violations in Al-Obeid, a strategically important city under siege, as the conflict in Sudan escalates, causing widespread displacement and hunger.

At least 15 civilians perished and others sustained injuries during a paramilitary attack on Al-Obeid, the capital of Sudan's North Kordofan state. The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) allegedly targeted unarmed civilians in the town of Burbur, looting livestock and intimidating residents, according to a statement from the North Kordofan state government.

the rebel militia's attack targeted unarmed civilians and was accompanied by the looting of livestock and intimidation of residents

— North Kordofan state governmentDescribing the RSF attack on Burbur.

Sudanese armed forces and other security units responded to repel the attackers, regaining full control of the area. Al-Obeid has been a focal point of intense fighting between the Sudanese Army and paramilitary forces, enduring months of siege and continuous attacks, including drone strikes on civilian targets like markets and schools.

The United Nations has raised alarms about the situation, with UN Women reporting that women and girls in Al-Obeid are targeted by drones while seeking water. The city, which has seen its population swell to around 1.2 million due to an influx of displaced people, is strategically vital, connecting Khartoum with Darfur and housing the 5th Infantry Division. UN agencies fear Al-Obeid could face similar human rights abuses as those reported in Al-Fasher last year.

the Sudanese armed forces and other security forces acted immediately, repelled the attackers and forced them to flee before establishing full control of the area

— North state government statementDetailing the response to the paramilitary attack.

The ongoing conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths and displaced approximately 14 million people, creating the world's worst displacement and hunger crisis, according to the UN.

women and girls in Al-Obeid are attacked with drones when they try to go to get water from water sources and distribution points, or are harassed and raped if they try to take advantage of the night to do so

— UN WomenReporting on the dangers faced by women and girls seeking water.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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