ISTANBUL

Expressing “deep alarm” over the unfolding tragedy in El-Fasher city and across Darfur, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Monday warned that atrocities in Sudan may amount to genocide.

He sought an “immediate” cessation of violence for the protection of civilians in Sudan.

“What we are witnessing is a humanitarian catastrophe: mass killings, starvation, and displacement on a scale that shocks the conscience. Reports of atrocities that may amount to crimes against humanity, even genocide, are intolerable,” Anwar said in a statement on US social media company X.

Stressing full respect to international humanitarian law, Anwar said Malaysia stands in “solidarity with the people of Sudan.”

“We … urge the international community to act decisively to prevent further suffering, restore humanitarian access, and support a credible process toward peace and accountability,” he added.

On Oct. 26, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of the city of El-Fasher in North Darfur state and committed massacres against civilians, according to local and international organizations, amid warnings that the assault could entrench the geographical partition of Sudan.

Later, RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, widely known as “Hemedti,” admitted that his forces had committed “violations” in El-Fasher, claiming that investigation committees had been formed.

Since April 15, 2023, the Sudanese army and the RSF have been locked in a war that regional and international mediations have failed to end. The conflict has killed 20,000 people and displaced more than 15 million as refugees and internally displaced persons, according to UN and local reports.