Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have intensified artillery shelling on El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan, leading to multiple civilian casualties and widespread destruction. At the same time, the army intercepted drones targeting Atbara in River Nile state, military sources said.
El Obeid has been under RSF shelling for over a week following the Sudanese army’s February 23 breakthrough, which ended a nearly two-year RSF siege on the city. Witnesses reported that RSF forces fired long-range artillery at residential areas on Friday, with western neighborhoods like Al-Sahwa and Al-Hijra suffering heavy damage. Medical sources confirmed that one woman was killed and four others injured on Thursday night, bringing the total number of casualties from the shelling to at least 32 dead and dozens wounded.
Meanwhile, in Atbara, the army’s early warning systems and anti-aircraft defenses intercepted a squadron of RSF drones targeting the city’s airport and a military base. Military sources reported no casualties from the attempted strikes, but intense anti-aircraft fire was heard across the city.
The RSF has launched multiple drone attacks in recent weeks, targeting Atbara and Merowe airports, claiming they are being used for military operations. The ongoing clashes between the RSF and Sudan’s military continue to escalate, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the country.