El Obeid – Sudan Now
The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) announced the death of Ahmed Yaqoub Osman, a volunteer with the Sudanese Red Crescent Society, while carrying out humanitarian duties in El Obeid, North Kordofan State.
In a statement, the ICRC described the incident as another tragic loss among Sudanese humanitarian workers who have been killed while serving their communities since last year.
The organization expressed its condolences to Osman’s family, colleagues and community, stressing that humanitarian workers play a vital role in providing assistance, protection and hope to people affected by conflict and crisis.
The announcement came a day after drone strikes hit several neighborhoods in El Obeid, killing at least 15 civilians and injuring dozens, according to local sources. The attacks targeted residential areas near the headquarters of the Fifth Infantry Division and were part of a recent escalation in drone warfare across the Kordofan region.
El Obeid has faced worsening humanitarian conditions in recent weeks due to repeated attacks, prolonged power outages and disruptions to water supplies, adding to the challenges confronting civilians and aid workers operating in the city.
The ICRC said humanitarian workers must never become targets and should be respected and protected at all times in accordance with humanitarian principles and international humanitarian law.
The organization renewed its call for the protection of humanitarian personnel and for respect of the principles that allow life-saving assistance to reach those most in need.
The incident comes amid continued violence in several parts of Sudan, where humanitarian organizations have repeatedly warned of growing risks facing aid workers operating in conflict-affected areas.
The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which began in April 2023, has displaced millions of people and generated one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises, increasing reliance on humanitarian assistance across large areas of the country.
