U.N. Human Rights Chief Issues Red Alert on Possible Atrocity Crimes in el-Obeid

The United Nations human rights chief on Friday issued a "red alert" over possible atrocity crimes in and near el-Obeid, a city in central Sudan, and urged world leaders to increase efforts to halt the violence. " He said the alert was not a drill and needed to reach heads of state and government immediately.

Türk described 18 months of siege-like conditions for civilians, including relentless drone strikes, as Sudan’s armed forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces fight for control near the city. He called on governments to generate ideas to prevent atrocity crimes in el-Obeid and other parts of Kordofan.

The council’s 47 member countries considered a draft resolution brought by Britain, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Norway. The text condemns escalating violence by the RSF and its allies, encourages greater financial and logistical support for countries hosting Sudanese refugees, and condemns all forms of external interference in the war.

The war began in April 2023 from tensions between the army and RSF forces. It has killed at least 59,000 people, displaced some 13 million and pushed parts of Sudan into famine, with more than 30 million people now needing humanitarian assistance. In February 2025 the military broke a year-long siege on el-Obeid.

Since then the RSF has launched multiple offensives to reestablish the siege from several directions. The city is home to about half a million people. Recent attacks on infrastructure have left civilians with scarce food, fuel, water, health services and transportation, according to Türk’s office.

The U.N. and some countries have expressed concern over reports of RSF reinforcements around the city.