![Fierce clashes have erupted across Kordofan as the RSF shifts its offensive to the strategic region [Hussein Malla/AP]](https://www.misoiduncan.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/AP24162280843036-1752557353.webp)
In the latest escalation of the ongoing conflict in Sudan, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a powerful paramilitary group, launched a deadly drone strike on the city of el-Obeid in central Sudan, resulting in at least three deaths and leaving nine others wounded, several critically. The attack, which occurred in the Tayba neighborhood near a police station on Saturday afternoon, underscores the increasing use of aerial attacks by the RSF as it intensifies its offensive in Sudan’s strategic Kordofan region. This new phase in the war signals the growing complexity of the conflict, which has devastated Sudan and has significant implications for the future of the country.
The Rising Use of Aerial Power
The strike on el-Obeid marks the RSF’s expanding reliance on drone technology, highlighting a shift in their military strategy as they transition their offensive from the volatile Darfur region to Kordofan, an area of immense strategic importance. Kordofan is not only vital for its position in the conflict but also because it houses critical oil infrastructure that generates revenue for both Sudan and its southern neighbor South Sudan.
Military sources reported that while the RSF has been deploying drones with increasing frequency, their use is particularly significant in Kordofan, where their attacks could target both military and civilian infrastructure with little to no warning. The expansion of airpower indicates that the RSF is adapting quickly, gaining access to increasingly sophisticated means of warfare to confront the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) in the region.
In addition to the drone strike in el-Obeid, RSF forces reportedly shelled the city of Um Rawaba in northern Kordofan, resulting in civilian casualties. Meanwhile, in South Kordofan, the Sudanese army retaliated by striking RSF positions in the town of Um Adara. The ongoing military actions are fueling a humanitarian crisis in the region, with escalating violence pushing local populations to flee their homes.
The Humanitarian Crisis: Displacement and Starvation
The humanitarian toll of the Sudanese war has grown unbearable, with over 13 million people displaced since the conflict began in April 2023. The war, which pits the Sudanese army against the RSF, has caused tens of thousands of deaths and continues to devastate both urban and rural communities across Sudan. While the international community has struggled to provide meaningful assistance amid the chaos, humanitarian organizations are warning that the situation is rapidly deteriorating.
One of the most critical issues is the threat of famine. According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), 20 million Sudanese are suffering from malnutrition, with six million facing famine-like conditions. The WFP announced that, due to severe funding shortages, it would be forced to slash food rations by up to 70 percent starting in January 2026. These cuts will affect vulnerable communities already on the brink of starvation, as well as those who are at high risk of slipping into food insecurity.
WFP officials have warned that the agency’s operations could face a funding collapse by April 2026, jeopardizing the ability to continue providing vital aid to Sudanese citizens. The massive displacement of people due to the war, coupled with the deteriorating access to food and essential services, paints a grim picture of what is to come if the conflict continues unabated.
Ross Smith, the WFP’s emergency preparedness director, described the situation as dire, stating that the “funding gap could mean the collapse of the program”, leaving millions of Sudanese without any support. As food rations dwindle and international aid becomes increasingly scarce, the suffering of Sudan’s people is expected to escalate in the coming months.
The Geopolitical Context: Sudan’s Military War
The war in Sudan, which began in April 2023, has divided the country into two main factions: the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), led by General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and the Rapid Support Forces, commanded by General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo. The conflict between these two military powers has resulted in intense fighting, with both sides relying heavily on militias, airstrikes, and ground combat to advance their strategic positions.
The Kordofan region, where much of the latest fighting has centered, holds critical importance because of its oil reserves, which both the Sudanese government and South Sudan depend on for their economies. This makes the region a high-value target, leading to escalating violence as both sides fight for control of these valuable resources.
RSF Expansion: A Growing Threat in Sudan and Beyond
The Rapid Support Forces, initially formed from Janjaweed militias during Sudan’s Darfur conflict, have grown into one of the most powerful paramilitary groups in Africa. Over the years, the RSF has used its military power to solidify its control over vast areas of Sudan and to support the Sudanese government’s interests. However, the group has increasingly taken matters into its own hands, especially after the fall of former President Omar al-Bashir in 2019.
With a strong presence in Darfur, Kordofan, and South Sudan, the RSF has shown its military capability by launching a full-scale offensive in Kordofan after successfully taking control of Darfur in October 2025. These developments suggest that the RSF has no intention of backing down, and its control of key regions is contributing to Sudan’s deepening instability. Moreover, the RSF’s growing power within Sudan could have far-reaching consequences for neighboring countries like South Sudan, where the border regions are deeply intertwined with Sudan’s oil wealth.
The use of drones and other modern military technology has also enhanced the RSF’s capabilities, making them a formidable force not only in Sudan but also in regional conflicts. These developments suggest that the RSF may continue to push its offensive into other areas, heightening tensions and complicating efforts for a ceasefire or peace agreement.
Calls for International Intervention: A Complex Path Ahead
The escalation of violence in Sudan has drawn international concern, with the United Nations, African Union, and European Union all calling for an immediate ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, the deeply entrenched political and military divisions in Sudan have made it difficult to broker peace.
The international community’s focus has increasingly turned to the humanitarian crisis, as the displacement crisis grows larger by the day. The growing toll of the conflict on Sudan’s civilian population, coupled with the looming specter of famine, has prompted urgent calls for stronger international intervention, including more robust sanctions and diplomatic pressure on both sides of the conflict.
Yet, despite these calls for peace, the path to resolution remains unclear. Both the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces appear determined to continue the fight, each unwilling to relinquish control over key regions such as Kordofan, Darfur, and parts of South Sudan.
A Bleak Future for Sudan
As the conflict in Sudan intensifies, the country faces a bleak future. The Kordofan region, with its valuable oil resources, continues to be a focal point for military clashes, while millions of Sudanese civilians suffer from the impacts of the ongoing war. The humanitarian crisis is deepening, and the prospect of peace seems increasingly distant.
The international community must continue to pressure both the Sudanese government and the RSF to halt the violence and allow for a peaceful resolution to the conflict. The growing reliance on airstrikes, drones, and modern military technology by the RSF suggests that this war will not be resolved easily, and the toll on the people of Sudan will continue to escalate unless decisive action is taken.
