International warnings of deteriorating humanitarian conditions in Al-Abyad

July 4, 2026 (PEN) – Countries and human rights organizations have warned of a deteriorating humanitarian situation in El Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan state, amid escalating drone strikes that have killed civilians and cut off services to hundreds of thousands.

During an urgent debate held by the Human Rights Council in Geneva on the situation in and around El Obeid, the UK's Ambassador for Human Rights, Eleanor Saunders, expressed her country's alarm at the deteriorating situation in the city.

Sanders said the drone strikes killed civilians and destroyed supply routes, fuel stations and the electricity grid, leaving 500,000 people without services and displacing another 100,000.

She warned against a repeat of the El Fasher scenario, calling on the Human Rights Council to take urgent action, and stressing the need to grant the fact-finding mission full access to Sudan to end impunity.

Sanders announced that Britain would provide £146 million to help local responders.

For her part, Qatar’s Permanent Representative to Geneva, Hind Abdulrahman Al-Muftah, expressed during the session Qatar’s concern about the escalation of attacks, calling for restraint and respect for international law to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe.

Al-Muftah reiterated Qatar’s support for the unity and sovereignty of Sudan, and the need to reach a solution through dialogue.

The Coalition for the Prevention of Atrocities and Justice for Sudan warned that 500,000 civilians are in grave danger, demanding that the siege of El Obeid be lifted and that aid be allowed to reach them.

The coalition called on the parties to the conflict to de-escalate, and also called on countries to stop foreign interference and support a Sudanese peace process.

The city of Al-Abyad is witnessing a military escalation between the army and the Rapid Support Forces, while the bombing and targeting of infrastructure has caused the collapse of services and the displacement of tens of thousands, amid a siege that prevents fuel and medicine from reaching civilians.