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April 2, 2025
Fierce fighting broke out between the Sudanese army and the rival paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), in El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state in southern Sudan. The strategic city has become the latest battleground in a conflict that has already torn the country apart.
A military source told Anadolu Agency that the army dealt heavy losses to the RSF, forcing them to retreat from their positions on Tuesday. Locals reported hearing the sounds of intense fighting with heavy weapons in the western part of El-Obeid during the early hours of the morning. While the fighting eventually subsided, the city remains on edge after days of violence.
The RSF has not yet responded to the army's claims about the clash, leaving many questions unanswered.
El-Obeid had already been suffering under a wave of artillery shelling from RSF forces in recent weeks, causing numerous deaths and injuries. The toll on civilians is growing as the violence stretches into the city's neighborhoods.
The War's Toll and Humanitarian Crisis
On Thursday, the Sudanese army declared it had cleared the final RSF holdouts in Khartoum, marking a significant step toward regaining control of the capital. This includes retaking key areas like the airport and security headquarters, which had been under RSF control since the conflict began in April 2023. The army's success in these battles is a glimmer of hope after months of uncertainty.
In recent weeks, the army has made substantial progress, pushing RSF forces back in multiple states, including Khartoum, Al-Jazira, White Nile, North Kordofan, Sennar, and Blue Nile. The shifting dynamics of the battlefield show how the conflict is evolving, but also how unpredictable it remains.
The war between the Sudanese army and the RSF has been devastating. Over 20,000 people have lost their lives, and more than 14 million people have been displaced, according to the UN and local authorities. Some researchers, however, suggest the true death toll could be much higher, around 130,000, underscoring the scale of the human suffering.
As the fighting continues, the international community and the UN are raising alarms about a looming humanitarian catastrophe. The people of Sudan are facing not only violence but also famine, with millions at risk of starvation due to severe food shortages. With no end to the fighting in sight, the country teeters on the edge of disaster, and the need for peace has never been more urgent.
