Violence Takes Heavy Toll on Civilians in Sudan

Moatinoon
The Emergency Lawyers Group reported that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) renewed their attacks on El Obeid, North Kordofan State, on Wednesday, August 12, 2026, using drones. The attacks targeted several locations within the city, resulting, according to initial reports, in the deaths of two civilians and injuries to five others.

The Emergency Lawyers Group condemned the attack on the city and the targeting of civilian areas, holding the RSF responsible. They emphasized that targeting civilians or launching indiscriminate attacks on populated areas constitutes a grave violation of international humanitarian law and may amount to war crimes.

According to information received by the Emergency Lawyers Group, one of the attacks, near the Farmers Bank, resulted in the death of Ahmed Saleh, a member of the judiciary, and another woman. Five other people were injured by shrapnel. The attacks also led to the closure of the main market and the courthouse, causing widespread panic among civilians and disrupting some activities within the city.

Human rights workers in North Kordofan reported that drones struck El Obeid, including one that hit a water station – a deeply concerning incident at a time when access to clean water remains one of the city’s most pressing challenges.

Human rights partners estimate that some 15,000 families have been displaced to El Obeid in the past three weeks. This ongoing influx is further straining already overstretched shelters and essential services.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warned that violence continues to take a heavy toll on civilians in Sudan, forcing people to flee their homes.

Despite the difficult conditions, the UN, along with its humanitarian partners, continues to reach and assist those in need in El Obeid.

OCHA reiterated its call on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to allow rapid, safe, and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to reach those in need, for as long as it is required.

OCHA In a related development, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported that more than 20 civilians were killed and others injured in recent clashes in the town of Qaysan, Blue Nile State. The escalating violence has displaced approximately 2,500 people from the town.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reiterated its call on all parties to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure and to allow rapid, safe, and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to those in need, for as long as it is required. OCHA also urged donors to provide additional funding for the humanitarian response, noting that the Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan for this year has received only 41 percent of the required amount.