Drones Target Schools in el-Obeid
Sudanese children living under siege in el-Obeid are too scared to attend school, following drone attacks that damage civilian structures. Aid groups are calling attention to a deepening humanitarian disaster. Reports from Ayin Network, a neutral Sudanese media source, show ruins where homes and a school once stood.
Ahmed Awad, a local project manager for Plan International in el-Obeid, described the city as under attack. Once a home to half a million people, it now shelters hundreds of thousands displaced. He reported a lack of basic medical supplies, food, and clean water, with people waiting in long lines at one water pump.
Awad reported that a drone strike hit a primary school, killing three students and causing trauma in others. Many children are too afraid to go back to class. He cited a mother who said three of her children were unable to sleep due to fear of another drone attack.
El-Obeid is a vital strategic point, serving as a desert trade hub on the only major road between Sudan's capital, Khartoum, under the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), and the western Darfur region, where the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have strongholds. The army holds the city, with around 13,000 troops based there.
Analysts, aid workers, and the United Nations fear the RSF may soon seize el-Obeid, echoing events in neighboring el-Fasher in October 2025, where the RSF bombed infrastructure before a prolonged siege and eventual takeover.
The UN Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan detailed the atrocities that occurred in the capture of el-Fasher, presenting evidence of possible genocide. Human rights groups are concerned about a recurrence of the same brutal tactics in el-Obeid.
Psychological Impact on Children
The crisis is especially harsh for children in el-Obeid. Francesco Lanino, deputy country director for Save the Children, reported that drone attacks on schools and camps have led to severe psychological distress. During a recent visit to the Tawila displacement camp near el-Fashir in Darfur, taken by the RSF last October, he saw children struggling to recover.
Many children were too traumatized to speak after the attacks and struggled to understand why they had been subjected to such violence. Lanino warned that without proper mental health support, the trauma could lead to a future cycle of revenge and further conflict.
The Sudanese army has launched a new offensive in Kordofan from Khartoum, claiming to have secured the 360-kilometer highway between Omdurman and el-Obeid. SAF Chief of Staff Abdel-Fattah al-Burhan recently inspected the area, praising his troops. This action has restored supply routes to SAF forces in el-Obeid.
Pekka Haavisto, the UN chief's special envoy for Sudan, expressed alarm in June about the ongoing fighting and drone attacks in the region. He warned that further violence could endanger thousands of people, as the strikes are already hurting civilians and blocking aid.
In response to the crisis, Awad and Plan International are offering mental health services to children suffering from trauma. Their work is crucial in helping children deal with the horrors they've witnessed.
The city’s strategic value is clear, as 13,000 SAF troops are stationed there, turning it into a key military location.
Human rights groups and the UN continue to watch the situation in el-Obeid closely. They fear the same pattern from el-Fasher — bombing infrastructure before capturing a city — could be repeated. The UN Fact-Finding Mission has already recorded atrocities, and concerns remain that further human rights violations could follow.
Save the Children's Lanino has stressed the urgent need for support in el-Obeid. During his visit to the Tawila camp, he found many children in deep psychological distress, some refusing to speak and unable to process the violence they've experienced.
Lanino’s concerns stretch beyond immediate aid to the long-term consequences of conflict. He argues that unaddressed trauma may lead to revenge and renewed cycles of violence. The deep psychological scars left by the war will need careful healing to avoid further suffering.
The SAF's recent offensive in Kordofan marks a shift in the war. By taking control of the Omdurman-el-Obeid highway, the army is trying to secure essential supply routes. This military success could change the course of the war, with possible new battles shaping its future.
The humanitarian situation in el-Obeid is worsening, with basic needs like clean water becoming increasingly scarce. Long queues at the few remaining water pumps have turned into a daily struggle, especially for children.
The drone attacks have caused both physical destruction and emotional trauma. The constant fear of being struck at any time has prevented children from attending school or engaging in normal life. This has long-term consequences for their development and future in Sudan.
International aid and awareness are essential to help el-Obeid. Organizations like Plan International and Save the Children are on the ground, offering both practical and psychological support. Without stronger global support, the crisis is likely to worsen.