Displaced people have flocked to el-Obeid, which remains heavily defended by the Sudanese military, despite ongoing strikes being carried out on the city as paramilitary forces advance. The UN's International Organization for Migration (IOM) said it has become a key refuge for people escaping ongoing violence in the surrounding areas. "Families have run out of safe options to protect themselves," Mohamed Refaat, IOM chief of mission in Sudan, said. "Many have already been displaced before and are once again forced to leave behind their homes, livelihoods and support networks." Fears of similar reprisals occurring in el-Obeid have grown for weeks and verified footage now shows dozens of heavily armed RSF troops in armoured trucks stationed in Nyala, a key nearby stronghold, vowing to "liberate" the city.