GENEVA

The UN human rights office warned Friday that atrocities committed by Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in and around El-Fasher and Bara could amount to "numerous crimes under international law."

"More details are emerging of atrocities committed during and after the fall of El-Fasher to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan," spokesperson Seif Magango told reporters in Geneva. "Since the RSF made a major incursion into the city on Oct. 23, we have received horrendous accounts of summary executions, mass killings, rapes, attacks against humanitarian workers, looting, abductions and forced displacement."

The office estimated that the number of civilians and those placed hors de combat killed during the RSF's attack "could amount to hundreds." Among the reported atrocities are the killing of patients inside Al-Saudi Maternity Hospital and other makeshift medical centers, and the gang-rape of at least 25 women at a shelter near El-Fasher University, it noted.

Besides, according to the UN office, at least two local humanitarian responders were killed, three doctors are being detained by the RSF, and serious violations were reported in Bara, including the alleged summary execution of five Red Crescent volunteers.

"These latest reports of serious violations potentially amount to numerous crimes under international law," Magango said, calling for "independent, prompt, transparent and thorough investigations" and for those responsible to be held accountable.

UN human rights chief Volker Turk, he said, reiterated his call on states with influence over the warring parties to "act urgently to put an end to the violence, halt the flow of arms … and ensure meaningful protection of civilians."

Since April 15, 2023, the army and the RSF have been locked in a civil war. The fighting has killed thousands of people and displaced millions.

The RSF seized El-Fasher on Sunday following heavy clashes with the army. The city had already been under siege by the rebel group since May 2024. Several local and international reports indicate mass killings, systematic ethnic cleansing and torture of civilians by the RSF in the city.