UN Rights Chief Condemns Deadly Attacks on El Fasher Civilians

Families that fled the fighting in Zamzam and El Fasher in North Darfur, seek refuge in Tawila.

UN human rights chief Volker Türk on Friday condemned in the strongest terms the continued killing and injuring of civilians in the besieged Sudanese city of El Fasher.

This follows reports that at least 53 civilians were killed and more than 60 injured by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia between 5 and 8 October alone.

Preliminary information from the area—the last government-controlled city in North Darfur—suggests the number may be even higher, the UN human rights office (OHCHR) added.

“I am appalled by the RSF’s endless and wanton disregard for civilian life,” said Mr. Türk.

The militia has been battling its former military government allies for control of Sudan since April 2023.

The UN rights chief said, “Despite repeated calls, including my own, to take specific care to protect civilians, they continue instead to kill, injure, and displace civilians, and to attack civilian objects, including IDP shelters, hospitals, and mosques, with total disregard for international law. This must end.”

At least 46 civilians were killed in artillery and drone strikes in the Abu Shouk and Daraja Oula neighbourhoods, and the Abu Shouk IDP camp, OHCHR reported.

This includes at least 14 civilians killed during attacks on 5 and 7 October on the Saudi Hospital—the last major functioning health care facility in North Darfur. The hospital, which had already been operating at reduced capacity, suffered further substantial damage in these latest attacks.

At least seven other civilians were reportedly summarily executed in home-to-home searches during RSF ground attacks, OHCHR reported. “Initial information indicates that these killings may have been ethnically motivated, targeting members of the
“Initial information indicates that these killings may have been ethnically motivated, targeting members of the

Zaghawa community,” the UN office said.

“I urge the RSF—and indeed all parties to the conflict—to draw lessons from this week’s conviction of Ali Kushayb by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for the war crimes and crimes against humanity he committed in Darfur,” said Mr. Türk.

The former Janjaweed commander was found guilty of 27 counts of war crimes earlier this week in The Hague. The RSF reportedly grew out of the Janjaweed militias, with its leadership beginning in 2013.

The High Commissioner also reiterated his call for UN Member States with direct influence to take urgent measures to protect civilians and prevent further atrocities in El Fasher and across Darfur.