The UN’s top human rights official, Volker Türk, issued an urgent warning that violence around el-Obeid, the capital of Sudan’s North Kordofan state, risks the imminent commission of serious international crimes and could deepen a humanitarian crisis that has already become catastrophic. Türk spoke after reports of a significant build-up of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia and allied troops around the city, with intensified drone strikes and artillery shelling.

He said el-Obeid has endured siege-like conditions for more than 18 months and warned that the pattern unfolding there could mirror atrocities previously documented in El Fasher and the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur. Türk urged states with influence to act immediately to prevent further bloodshed and called for the safe movement of civilians who have repeatedly been forced to flee.

The UN Secretary-General also warned of the danger of a possible imminent ground offensive, stressing that international warnings have too often failed to trigger concerted action. He urged that humanitarian workers and supplies must be protected and allowed to reach people in need, as drones have reportedly targeted fuel stations and trucks, contributing to the disruption of basic services.