The Arab League Warns of a Humanitarian Catastrophe in the City of Al-Obeid, Sudan

SadaNews - The Arab League has warned of the risk of the city of Al-Obeid in North Kordofan state slipping into a humanitarian and security catastrophe, amid ongoing besieging and attacks it is facing, urging for intensified international and regional efforts to protect civilians and halt the escalation.

The Secretary-General of the Arab League, Nabil Fahmy, stated in a statement that he is following the developments in the city of Al-Obeid "with great concern", indicating that more than half a million civilians, including tens of thousands of displaced persons, are subjected to ongoing siege and relentless bombing by drone aircraft from the Rapid Support Forces.

He added that the attacks targeted markets, schools, and hospitals, in addition to water and electricity facilities, warning that the continued military mobilization and targeting of residential neighborhoods and civilian facilities foreshadows a repetition of the atrocities witnessed in the city of El Fasher, despite repeated international warnings about the dangers of "serious violations that may amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity".

Humanitarian Catastrophe

Fahmy called for intensifying international and regional efforts to prevent the city from slipping into a broader humanitarian and security catastrophe, and to stop anything that might prolong the conflict, "while affirming respect for Sudan's unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity".

He also reiterated the League's support for efforts aimed at facilitating a comprehensive political process in Sudan and encouraging dialogue among Sudanese forces to end the conflict and protect civilians, within the framework of the quintet mechanism that includes the Arab League, the African Union, the United Nations, the European Union, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD).

The Arab League's warning comes a day after the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution to conduct an urgent investigation into the violations committed against civilians in the city of Al-Obeid, amid escalating UN warnings of a humanitarian catastrophe as the Rapid Support Forces continue their attacks on the city.

Al-Obeid has been subjected to drone attacks for nearly a month targeting the main power station, fuel stations, and civilian sites, resulting in casualties, while clashes continue between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces in the states of the Kordofan region, as part of the ongoing war between the two parties since April 2023.

Source: Anadolu Agency