UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, expressed concern on Thursday over a warning by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) of a potential “bloodbath” ahead of imminent clashes with the Sudanese army. The UN envoy added that reports of extrajudicial executions in Khartoum State were “extremely troubling.”
At least 542 civilians have been killed in Sudan’s North Darfur State over the past three weeks, but “the actual death toll is likely much higher,” Türk said in a statement on Thursday.
Commenting on the situation in Sudan, where the RSF and the Sudanese army have been engaged in a war for two years, Türk noted that “the deepening tragedy in Sudan knows no bounds.”
In recent weeks, RSF fighters have intensified their attacks on El Fasher, the last major city in the Darfur region (west) still under army control.
Türk highlighted an RSF attack three days ago on El Fasher and the Abu Shouk camp, which resulted in the deaths of at least 40 civilians.
“With this, the confirmed civilian death toll in North Darfur rises to at least 542 over just the past three weeks, although the real toll is likely significantly higher,” he said.
He also referred to “the grim warning issued by the RSF of ‘bloodshed’ ahead of imminent battles with the Sudanese Armed Forces and affiliated armed movements.”
“Every effort must be made to protect civilians trapped in tragic conditions in El Fasher and its surroundings,” he added.
Türk also drew attention to “reports of field executions in Khartoum State,” describing them as “deeply alarming.”
He said, “Horrific videos circulating on social media show at least 30 men in civilian clothing being detained and executed by armed men in RSF uniforms in Salha, south of Omdurman.” In a subsequent video, “a field commander from the RSF admitted to the killings,” he added.
Türk said these recordings came after “shocking reports in recent weeks of summary executions of dozens of individuals accused of cooperating with the RSF in southern Khartoum, reportedly carried out by the ‘Al-Baraa Brigade,’ a group affiliated with the Sudanese Armed Forces.”
He emphasized that “the intentional killing of a civilian or anyone no longer directly participating in hostilities constitutes a war crime.”
The High Commissioner for Human Rights said he had “personally warned RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces leaders about the catastrophic impact of this war on human rights.”
“These devastating consequences are a daily reality for millions of Sudanese. It is high time—long overdue—for this conflict to end,” he concluded.
