UN Rights Chief Issues Urgent Warning on El-obeid Violence

WHO:

AP - U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk

AP - The Human Rights Council, the U.N.'s top human rights body

AP - The Rapid Support Forces (RSF)

WHAT:

AP - Volker Türk sounded a “red alert” about possible atrocity crimes in and near el-Obeid.

AP - The ongoing war in Sudan has killed at least 59,000 people and displaced approximately 13 million.

AP - More than 30 million people in Sudan are in need of humanitarian assistance.

AP - The council is considering a draft resolution condemning the escalating violence by the RSF and its allies.

WHERE:

AP - The strategic city of el-Obeid in central Sudan.

AP - North Kordofan, where el-Obeid is located.

WHEN:

AP - The conflict in Sudan erupted in April 2023.

AP - In February 2025, the military broke a siege on el-Obeid that had lasted more than a year.

WHY:

AP - The violence is a result of the ongoing war between Sudan’s army and the RSF.

HOW:

AP - Civilians have faced siege-like conditions for 18 months due to “relentless drone strikes” as the armed forces and RSF battle for control.

(UPDATED July 3, 2026 19:29 UTC)

U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has issued a “red alert” regarding potential atrocity crimes in the strategic city of el-Obeid, located in central Sudan, as the ongoing war has resulted in at least 59,000 deaths and displaced around 13 million people. The Human Rights Council is currently considering a draft resolution that condemns the escalating violence perpetrated by the Rapid Support Forces and its allies, while over 30 million people in Sudan are in dire need of humanitarian assistance. Civilians have endured siege-like conditions for the past 18 months, facing relentless drone strikes as the armed forces and RSF continue their battle for control.