RSF shelling kills civilians in El Obeid; army downs drones in Atbara
March 14, 2025 (EL OBEID/ATBARA) – Rapid Support Forces (RSF) shelling killed civilians in El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, on Friday, while army anti-aircraft defences downed drones targeting Atbara in River Nile state, witnesses and military sources said.
El Obeid has been subjected to RSF artillery shelling for over a week, resulting in numerous civilian deaths and the destruction of homes.
The shelling of North Kordofan’s capital follows the army’s Feb. 23 breaking of a nearly two-year siege imposed by the RSF on El Obeid.
Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that the RSF continued to launch long-range artillery shells at El Obeid on Friday. The shelling caused casualties and damaged many houses in neighbourhoods in the western part of the city, they said.
A medical source at El Obeid Hospital told Sudan Tribune that RSF shelling late on Thursday killed at least one woman and injured four others. They were treated for varying injuries, bringing the total number of victims since the artillery attacks began to approximately 32 dead and dozens injured, the source added.
The Al-Sahwa and Al-Hijra neighbourhoods in western El Obeid are among the worst-affected areas, with numerous shells hitting civilian homes.
Drones intercepted in Atbara
In northern Sudan, the RSF continued targeting civilian and military sites, military sources said. Early warning systems and anti-aircraft defences intercepted a squadron of drones attempting to target Atbara airport and an army military base, without causing any losses, the sources added.
Eyewitnesses reported hearing intense anti-aircraft fire from the army.
In recent weeks, RSF suicide drones have attacked Atbara airport in River Nile state and Merowe airport in Northern state. The RSF claims the two airports are being used for military activities, serving as launch points for army fighter jets and drones.