(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) GENEVA, Oct 2 (KUNA) -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk urged action to protect civilians in Al-Fasher, warning of large-scale atrocities as the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) accelerate efforts to seize the long-besieged capital of North Darfur State.
Turk said that Al-Fasher is "on the brink of a humanitarian catastrophe" after more than 500 days of siege and heavy fighting, during which at least 91 civilians were killed between 19 and 29 September in RSF artillery and drone attacks as well as ground incursions.
He raised concerns over reports of the pre-positioning of long-range drones by the RSF in South Darfur, warning about the possibility of further intensification of hostilities in the coming days.
He reported that the city's Daraja Oula neighborhood, which has received civilians displaced from Abu Shouk camp, has come under repeated attack, including two drone strikes on a market in the last week and an earlier drone strike on a mosque, which killed at least 67 civilians on 19 September.
On 30 September, the UN Human Rights Office received credible reports that at least 23 civilians were killed when a community kitchen was shelled in the Abu Shouk camp.
The UN Human Rights Chief stressed the need to ensure the safety of civilians including the elderly and disabled, and called for safe and voluntary passage out of the city amid reports of executions, abductions, and torture of those fleeing.
Turk also warned of famine risks due to RSF restrictions on food and essential supplies urging immediate unhindered humanitarian access and an end to the siege.
He also called for immediate and unhindered access for desperately-needed humanitarian aid into the city. (end)
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