The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, expressed profound shock on Wednesday following reports of an airstrike by General al-Burhan’s army (SAF) that killed hundreds of civilians in a market in Darfur.
In a statement, Turk confirmed that his office had learned that at least 13 of the victims were members of the same family, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the attack. He condemned the ongoing violence, noting that “the killing of civilians, their mutilation, and the mistreatment of the population continue on a near-daily basis.”
Turk stressed that such acts must never be normalized, calling for an end to the indiscriminate targeting of civilians.
According to aid organizations, the SAF launched the airstrike on Tuesday, targeting a market in the western region of Darfur. The attack sparked a large fire and resulted in at least 54 fatalities. Local sources reported that the bombing occurred on Monday in the village of “Tora,” located north of El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.
The latest assault comes amid ongoing violence and displacement in Darfur, where the SAF and RSF have been engaged in a brutal conflict since 2023. As the region faces mounting humanitarian crises, the UN has repeatedly called for greater protection of civilians and accountability for those responsible for the violence.
Turk’s statement further highlights the international community’s growing concern over Sudan’s escalating conflict, which has already resulted in thousands of deaths and widespread displacement across the region.