Suspected RSF drones attack areas in Sudan including Khartoum and Al Obeid

Suspected drones launched by Sudan's paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) struck multiple cities, including the capital Khartoum, on Wednesday, according to residents. The drones hit an area west of Omdurman, part of Khartoum's greater region, as well as the industrial city of Atbara north of the capital. Al Obeid, a significant city in central Kordofan under partial siege by the RSF, was also targeted.

Media reports indicate at least two fatalities and six injuries in Al Obeid, where residents claimed the apparent target was a Fifth Infantry Division base. Drones were reportedly seen flying over the capital, followed by loud explosions in the early hours. However, the authenticity of the reported videos and RSF or Sudanese Armed Forces statements could not be confirmed.

The drone attacks come a day after the RSF announced the capture of Qayssan in southern Blue Nile, near the South Sudan border, and follow the army's recent capture of a key Kordofan city and areas along a vital motorway leading to Khartoum. Most of the recent conflict in Sudan's civil war has occurred in Kordofan, where RSF and allies aim to complete a sweep of the resource-rich region after taking near total control of neighbouring Darfur last year.

The RSF also controls parts of Blue Nile State, while the army governs the capital and northern, eastern, and central regions. The civil war erupted in April 2023 amid tensions between army chief Gen Abdel Fattah Al Burhan and RSF commander Gen Mohamed Dagalo over their roles in a democratic Sudan, leading to open hostilities. Over four years, the war is estimated to have killed tens of thousands and displaced about 14 million people, creating the world's worst humanitarian crisis, with hunger affecting an estimated 20 million.