In El Obeid, Sudan, a worsening humanitarian crisis is unfolding as more than 15,000 displaced families arrived since mid-July, joining over 200,000 earlier arrivals. Fleeing severe violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, civilians confront severe overcrowding, food shortages, and ongoing drone strikes in North Kordofan.
The Human Toll in an Overcrowded City
El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan province, stood as a sanctuary for roughly half a million residents before Sudan descended into open civil war on April 15, 2023. Today, the city is shockingly overcrowded, absorbing waves of internally displaced people on a daily basis. According to Maryam, a humanitarian volunteer whose name was changed for her safety, the new arrivals reach the city on foot, carrying almost nothing, deeply traumatized, and facing an acute shortage of food.
While many families find space within the urban neighborhoods, tens of thousands remain trapped in two primary tented camps on the city’s outskirts. Satellite data analyzed by the Yale Humanitarian Research Lab reveals the rapid expansion of these settlements, noting that 800 new tents appeared in a single camp between August 4 and August 25. Paul Byars, the Sudan country director for the Danish Refugee Council, witnessed the influx firsthand during a visit last week. He observed 450 new arrivals from surrounding villages arriving in a single morning, with local authorities estimating that 85% of those displaced are women and children while most men stay behind to manage farming duties.
Geopolitical Shockwaves and Security Realities
The conflict in Sudan, born from a power struggle between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has displaced approximately 11.3 million people—more than a fifth of the nation’s total population. As supply lines fracture and transport routes face constant assault, regions like El Obeid stand precariously at risk of famine.
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Conflict tracking group Acled reports a concerning surge in violence across the broader Kordofan region, recording 322 incidents affecting civilians so far this year, compared with 388 for the entirety of 2025. While the RSF accounts for roughly half of these incidents, military operations by the SAF have also inflicted civilian casualties. Notably, on August 10, armed forces and an allied militia killed five civilians and injured ten in an area roughly 60 miles north-east of El Obeid, according to the non-governmental group Emergency Lawyers.
The Escalation of Drone Warfare
Sudan’s protracted civil war has experienced a tactical shift toward aerial drone operations. Nohad Eltayeb, who monitors Sudan for Acled, notes that drones now account for half of all violent incidents, a rise from just 4% at the conflict’s onset. While both warring factions utilize unmanned aerial vehicles, RSF operations have grown increasingly volatile following international supply line disruptions caused by the United States conflict with Iran in February, leading to fewer but more highly targeted strikes.
Civilians in El Obeid continue to live under the constant psychological and physical threat of these attacks. Volunteers on the ground report an alarming rise in double-tap strikes, where a secondary drone targets rescue workers arriving at the scene of an initial blast. Although the Sudanese Armed Forces recaptured a crucial northern road leading to Khartoum in late July—temporarily easing the threat of a complete blockade—the persistent hum of drones and localized ground combat ensures that safe refuge remains elusive for thousands.
| Metric | Data Point | Source / Context |
|---|---|---|
| Recent IDP Influx | 15,000+ families | Arrived in El Obeid since mid-July |
| Earlier Displaced Population | 200,000+ individuals | Arrived in the first half of the year (Save the Children) |
| Camp Expansion | 800 new tents | Recorded in a single camp between August 4 and 25 (Yale HRL) |
| Demographics | 85% women and children | Estimated by local authorities and humanitarian staff |
| Kordofan Region Violence | 322 incidents | Recorded affecting civilians so far this year (Acled) |
The Path Forward for International Diplomacy
As international bodies face mounting pressure from humanitarian chiefs at the United Nations Security Council over inaction, the plight of El Obeid highlights the urgent need for coordinated global intervention. Without sustained international pressure and reliable aid distribution routes, the humanitarian disaster in North Kordofan threatens to eclipse previous tragedies, leaving millions at the mercy of a protracted war of attrition.
The international community must look beyond diplomatic platitudes and address the root supply lines fueling the conflict. As relief agencies struggle to reach overcrowded camps, how will global powers respond to mounting famine risks? Share your thoughts on the international response to Sudan’s crisis below.
