UN warns of possible ground offensive near Elade, urges restraint to protect civilians

A United Nations agency official told reporters the Secretary-General is "particularly alarmed by reports of deployment by the rapid support forces of substantial military reinforcements around Elade," saying the buildup "may indicate an imminent ground offensive into the city." The official warned such an offensive could expose a major population center in Sudan to "large-scale violence" and urged all parties to "take all necessary measures to respect and protect civilians."

The spokesperson said the Secretary-General "urges those with influence over the parties to exert it to prevent further bloodshed," and reiterated a call for "an immediate cessation of hostilities" and for the Sudin armed forces and the Rapid Support Forces to engage with international de-escalation efforts, including the Secretary-General's personal envoy, Pekka Havisto.

Humanitarian partners remain operational in and around Elabate and the broader Cordon region despite worsening security conditions, the official said, noting that a humanitarian worker was killed in recent drone strikes. The briefing stressed that humanitarian workers and supplies "must be able to move safely wherever they need to go" and that humanitarian operations require "rapid, safe, unhindered and sustained humanitarian access."

Reporters pressed for specifics on whether new intelligence prompted the alert; the spokesperson said the observed RSF buildup itself is "worrying enough," and that the UN envoy is in touch with various parties and will continue diplomatic contacts through multiple channels. The briefing closed with a call to the international community to act on prior warnings to prevent a repeat of past atrocities.