El-fasher: The UN Human Rights Office in Sudan warned Saturday that El-Fasher has become a city engulfed in grief as brutal attacks escalate, leaving civilians trapped and suffering atrocities on an unimaginable scale.

According to Anadolu Agency, over the past ten days, El-Fasher has witnessed an escalation of brutal attacks. Li Fung, UN Human Rights Representative in Sudan, emphasized in a video published on US social media company X that the once-besieged city's residents are now enduring severe atrocities. "Civilians who survived 18 months of siege and hostilities are now enduring atrocities of an unimaginable scale," she said.

The situation in El-Fasher has deteriorated tragically, with hundreds being killed, including women, children, and the wounded who sought refuge in hospitals and schools. Fung highlighted the grave reality that entire families have been massacred as they attempted to flee, while others have simply disappeared. Thousands have been detained, including medical personnel and journalists.

Fung elaborated on the pervasive threat of sexual violence, underscoring the absence of safe routes out of El-Fasher. The city's remaining residents, including the elderly, persons with disabilities, those with chronic health conditions, and the wounded, face serious protection risks. "What we are witnessing is not chaos. It is a systematic assault on human life and dignity," she stated, pointing to attacks often based on ethnicity.

Despite significant obstacles such as disrupted communications and limited access to crucial sites, the UN Human Rights Office in Sudan continues to document violations and abuses. Fung stressed their commitment to raising the voices of survivors and advocating for accountability. "We're part of efforts by the UN and humanitarian community to press for safe passage and protection of civilians, unhindered humanitarian access, and support to the vast numbers of affected civilians," she remarked.

Fung concluded with a powerful call to action: "El-Fasher is bleeding and the time to act is now. The violence must be stopped. Civilians must be protected. Victims need access to assistance and redress. Accountability is the only way forward to prevent these horrors from reoccurring. The world needs to act now."

The situation in El-Fasher has been further exacerbated by the RSF's seizure of the city on October 26, leading to civilian massacres, as reported by local and international organizations. This has ignited concerns that the assault could contribute to the geographical partitioning of Sudan.

The conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF, which began on April 15, 2023, continues to rage unabated, with regional and international mediation efforts failing to bring an end to the violence. Thousands have been killed and millions displaced as a result of the ongoing war.