Al Obeid gripped by fear as Sudan's army and RSF square up for fierce battle

Mazen, his wife and four children fled Al Obeid last week with four other families to escape steadily growing violence as Sudan's army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces square up for a major battle over the city in North Kordofan province.

Mazen, who asked to be identified only by his first name, said he had no confidence in the army's ability to defend Al Obeid, and that he feared a repeat of the atrocities committed by RSF fighters when they seized El Fasher in the neighbouring Darfur region in late October.

“The situation in the city and in North Kordofan in general is terrifying because both sides are here,” he told The National on Monday, a day after he arrived in the capital Khartoum. “The sound of gunfire, artillery and anti-aircraft guns is horrifying, and, to be honest, I don't have much faith in the army.

“We saw members of the local government and their families flee the city, and that made us think there was no point in staying put.”

Mazen's alarm over the fate of Al Obeid may not be unfounded.

After taking El Fasher following more than a year of siege, the RSF last week captured the city of Babanusa in West Kordofan. On Monday, the RSF seized the country's largest oilfield in southern Kordofan.

The RSF's rapid gains have cast doubt on the army's ability to retain territory in western Sudan – the paramilitary's stronghold, where it has forged alliances with powerful tribes and rebel groups. The western region is also home to most fighters of the RSF, whose forerunner was a notorious militia called the Janjaweed.

The fall of Al Obeid could open the road to the capital, which the army reto