El Obeid Sudan drone attacks force women to choose between water collection terror or night-time rape

• Drones have targeted water points and distribution sites in El Obeid, Sudan, forcing women to wait until nightfall to collect water.
• Many women have been subjected to sexual violence while trying to fill their jerrycans at night.
• The UN Fact-Finding Mission has warned that the Rapid Support Forces may be replicating tactics used in El Fasher by encircling El Obeid and attacking critical infrastructure.
• Over 880 civilians have been killed by drone strikes in the first four months of 2026 alone, accounting for more than 80 per cent of all civilian deaths recorded by the human rights office.
• The conflict has resulted in significant displacement, with many women and children being forced to flee their homes.

In El Obeid, Sudan, drone attacks during the day and sexual violence at night have left no safe window for women and girls to collect water.

In the North Kordofan capital of El Obeid, women and girls face a daunting choice: risk being struck by drones while collecting water during the day or wait until nightfall, only to be subjected to sexual violence. This 'dual terror' has left no safe window for them to access this basic necessity, according to UN Women's regional director for East and Southern Africa, Anna Mutavati. The pattern of drone attacks during the day and sexual violence at night echoes atrocities documented in El Fasher last year, highlighting the escalating humanitarian crisis in Sudan.

The influx of foreign-made drones has pushed the war deeper into civilian life, bringing critical infrastructure within range. As a result, water points and distribution sites have been targeted by drones, forcing women to wait until nightfall to collect water. However, instead of finding safety, many have been 'harassed, raped, and subjected to other forms of sexual violence' while trying to fill their jerrycans.

The UN's human rights chief Volker Türk warned in May that the conflict was 'on the cusp of entering yet another new, even deadlier phase.' Drone strikes have killed at least 880 civilians in the first four months of 2026 alone, accounting for more than 80 per cent of all civilian deaths recorded by the human rights office in that period.

The use of drones in Sudan's conflict raises significant concerns under international humanitarian law. The Geneva Conventions and their Additional Protocols prohibit attacks on civilians, including those targeting water points and distribution sites. Furthermore, the use of sexual violence as a weapon of war is a grave breach of the Geneva Conventions and constitutes a war crime.

The UN Fact-Finding Mission for Sudan has warned that the Rapid Support Forces appear to be replicating tactics used in El Fasher by encircling El Obeid and attacking critical infrastructure. This raises fears that the city could face mass atrocities, which would be a grave breach of international humanitarian law.

The conflict in Sudan has been ongoing since April 2023, with over half a million people living in El Obeid, including 83,000 internally displaced persons. The war has resulted in significant displacement, with many women and children being forced to flee their homes. The UN Women report highlights the need for an immediate ceasefire, inclusive peace talks, and an end to the war.

The situation in El Obeid, Sudan, is a stark reminder of the devastating impact of conflict on civilians, particularly women and children. The use of drones and sexual violence as weapons of war has left no safe window for them to access basic necessities like water.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of the potential for mass atrocities in El Obeid and monitor developments on the UN Fact-Finding Mission's findings and recommendations. An immediate ceasefire, inclusive peace talks, and an end to the war are essential to prevent further humanitarian crises.

The situation also highlights the need for urgent financial support for women-led organizations that provide protection and support services to affected communities. Funding cuts have forced two-thirds of these organizations to close or scale back their operations, leaving many without access to critical services.

Lawyers and compliance officers should be aware of the potential for mass atrocities in El Obeid, Sudan, and monitor developments on the UN Fact-Finding Mission's findings and recommendations for an immediate ceasefire and inclusive peace talks.

Source: Original reporting via UN News