Kuwait city: UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk urged action to protect civilians in Al-Fasher, warning of large-scale atrocities as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accelerate efforts to seize the long-besieged capital of North Darfur State.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Turk stated that Al-Fasher is "on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe" after more than 500 days of siege and heavy fighting. During this period, at least 91 civilians were killed between 19 and 29 September due to RSF artillery and drone attacks, as well as ground incursions.
Turk expressed concerns over reports of the RSF pre-positioning long-range drones in South Darfur, warning about the possibility of further intensification of hostilities in the coming days. He reported that the Daraja Oula neighborhood, which has been a refuge for civilians displaced from Abu Shouk camp, has faced repeated attacks, including two drone strikes on a market in the last week and a previous drone strike on a mosque on 19 September that killed at least 67 civilians.
On 30 September, the UN Human Rights Office received credible reports that at least 23 civilians were killed when a community kitchen was shelled in the Abu Shouk camp. The UN Human Rights Chief emphasized the importance of ensuring the safety of civilians, including the elderly and disabled, and called for the safe and voluntary passage of people out of the city amid reports of executions, abductions, and torture of those attempting to flee.
Turk also highlighted the risk of famine due to RSF restrictions on food and essential supplies, urging immediate unhindered humanitarian access and an end to the siege. He called for the immediate and unhindered entry of desperately-needed humanitarian aid into the city.