GENEVA, Feb 9 (KUNA) -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, warned of the danger of repeating the atrocities committed in Al-Fashir in other parts of Sudan, particularly in the Kordofan region, amid escalating clashes between Sudanese Armed Forces, Rapid Support Forces, and Sudan People's Liberation Movement.
Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on Monday, Turk described the October violence in Al-Fashir as a "humanitarian and human rights catastrophe" involving grave violations that could have been prevented. He noted that his office had repeatedly warned over the past year of the risk of mass atrocities in Al-Fashir and documented similar patterns of crimes, but these warnings received insufficient response.
Turk highlighted that the International Criminal Court recently informed the UN Security Council of war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Al-Fashir, and that UN investigations corroborate these findings. He expressed deep concern over rising violence in Kordofan, noting that although the sieges on Kadugli and Dalang were lifted in the past two weeks, drone strikes continue.
According to the UN, around 90 civilians have been killed and 142 others injured in less than two weeks as of Feb 6, following strikes on markets, health facilities, residential neighborhoods, and a World Food Programme convoy in South and North Kordofan.
Turk held the Rapid Support Forces and allied militias responsible for mass atrocities in Al-Fashir, which was besieged for over a year, including the seizure of the Zamzam IDP camp in April 2025. He described the 18-month siege as involving starvation and continuous shelling, culminating in a large-scale assault that killed thousands and displaced tens of thousands in just a few days.
The UN official called on the international community to take responsibility for these crimes, immediately halt hostilities, allow humanitarian access to populations facing famine, protect humanitarian workers, and restore communications. He also urged expanding the arms embargo on Darfur to cover all of Sudan and warned that the increased use of advanced drone systems endangers civilians nationwide. (end) amk.aa