The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Turk, expressed deep concern on Friday over reports of extrajudicial killings carried out by General al-Burhan’s forces (SAF) and allied jihadist militias in the Khartoum Bahri area.
Turk called for an immediate end to these actions and for independent investigations to be conducted in accordance with international standards.
The UN Human Rights Office issued a statement outlining multiple instances of summary executions carried out by SAF and its militia allies after regaining control of Khartoum Bahri on January 25. At least 18 people, including one woman, have been killed in seven separate incidents, many of them from Darfur or Kordofan. These executions took place near the Jeli Refinery area.
Disturbing video footage emerged from Khartoum Bahri, showing men in SAF uniforms reading off a list of names allegedly connected to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Each name was marked with the word “Zayel,” meaning “dead.” Turk condemned the killings, pointing out that similar executions had been reported earlier in the month in Omdurman, heightening concerns over a pattern of violence.
War Crimes and Accountability
Turk stressed that the deliberate killing of civilians or those no longer participating in hostilities is classified as a war crime under international law. He urged all parties to the conflict to prioritize civilian protection and adhere to humanitarian and human rights law.
The UN also raised alarms over the increasing threat to civilians, citing a video showing a member of SAF’s Al-Bara Bin Malik Brigade threatening to slaughter residents in the Haj Yusuf area, a district mainly inhabited by people from Darfur and Kordofan.
In North Darfur, SAF airstrikes targeted the Abu Shouk displaced persons camp on January 29, killing nine civilians, including two women and a child, and injuring at least 12 others. The UN condemned these airstrikes as a violation of international humanitarian law, calling for an immediate halt to the attacks on civilians and civilian infrastructure.
“The deliberate targeting of civilians and civilian objects is a grave violation of international law,” Turk stated, urging an end to violence and the incitement of further bloodshed.