At least 16 killed in drone strike on Sudan’s El Obeid, sources say

June 11, 2026 (EL OBEID) – At least 16 people were killed and dozens more wounded on Thursday when drones operated by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) struck several neighbourhoods in the North Kordofan state capital of El Obeid, local sources and medical officials said.

The strike is one of the deadliest bombardments to hit the strategic hub since the conflict began, according to local residents.

Local sources told Sudan Tribune that the paramilitary group launched the drone attacks early Thursday morning, targeting multiple locations across the city.

A medical source at the El Obeid Teaching Hospital confirmed that the facility had received the bodies of 16 people killed in the strikes.

Eyewitnesses said the bombardment focused on the Al-Matar and Al-Muwazafin neighbourhoods, as well as areas surrounding the headquarters of the Sudanese army’s 5th Infantry Division.

The assault began around 2:00 a.m. with two consecutive strikes. The first hit residential homes in Al-Muwazafin, killing several civilians and causing severe structural damage.

A second strike hit the same location shortly after as residents gathered to rescue survivors and evacuate the wounded, significantly driving up the casualty toll, sources said.

The escalation in aerial attacks comes amid intelligence reports of an unprecedented buildup of RSF fighters in areas surrounding El Obeid, raising fears of an imminent, large-scale ground offensive to seize the city.