By Anjali Sharma
UNITED NATIONS – UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk on Friday has voiced deep alarm over reports of summary executions of civilians allegedly carried out by fighters and militias allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces in the city of Khartoum North, called for an immediate halt to the killings.
Mr. Türk called the Sudanese Government forces and a rival military the Rapid Support Forces fighting over the control of the country since April 2023 a “senseless war”, which has taken an “even more dangerous turn for civilians” as reports of people brutally killed in ethnically targeted attacks mount.
Mr. Turk in a statement issued reported that at least 18 civilians, including one woman, were killed in seven separate incidents after SAF forces regained control of the area around Khartoum North Sudan’s third largest city – on 25 January.
Many of the victims were originally from the Darfur and Kordofan regions, raising concerns about targeted violence, OHCHR stated
Mr. Türk said “These reports of summary executions, following similar incidents earlier this month in Al Jazirah State, are deeply disturbing,”.
“Such killings must not become normalized. Deliberately taking the life of a civilian or anyone not or no
OHCHR is investigating disturbing video footage that surfaced on 30 January, in which men in SAF uniforms and members of the Al Baraa Bin Malik Brigade in Khartoum North appear to read out a list of alleged RSF collaborators, saying “Zaili,” which is Arabic for “killed”, after each name.
The threats of violence have emerged, with a video showing a member of the same brigade threatening to slaughter residents of El Hadj Yusif in East Nile, another area of Khartoum North mainly inhabited by people from Darfur and Kordofan.
Mr. Türk urged all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and respect international humanitarian and human rights law.
He underscored “Independent investigations must be held into these incidents in line with relevant international standards”.
The attacks on civilians by the RSF continue across Sudan.
In El Fasher, North Darfur, the Abu Shouk camp for internally displaced people was shelled on 29 January, killed 9 civilians, including two women and a child, and injured 12 others.
OHCHR reported that hospitals have been targeted.
On 24 January, a drone attack attributed to the RSF killed at least 67 people and injured 19 at Al-Saudi Maternity Hospital in El Fasher. The attack severely damaged the emergency unit, rendering it inoperable.
The hospital the only facility providing specialized maternal care in the area has been struck twice this month and was shelled at least 13 times in 2024.
“Deliberate attacks on civilians and civilian objects are abhorrent,” Mr. Türk stated.
He emphasized “They must end immediately and so must incitement to violence against civilians.”
Mr. Türk reiterated the urgent need for all parties to uphold their legal obligations and ensure the protection of civilians as violence escalates.
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