El-Obeid in North Kordofan remains under Sudanese Armed Forces control since February 2025 while facing encirclement by the Rapid Support Forces. The war, which escalated in April 2023, has displaced more than 14 million people and produced death estimates between 40,000 and 250,000 according to available reporting. International bodies have warned of potential mass atrocities as external involvement, including alleged UAE support, continues.