NEW YORK: The United Nations (UN) officials on Friday voiced grave concern over reports of fresh fighting in Sudan’s North Darfur region.
Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson’s office has warned that a coordinated attack on the city of El Fasher is imminent.
The office in a statement, reiterating previous calls from Guterres to avert fighting said an attack on the city would have devastating impacts on the civilian population.
It noted that at least 43 people, including women and children, have been killed in fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) since April 14.
Earlier on Friday, the UN’s High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk also voiced his deep concern over fighting in the city.
The rights chief’s office’s statement said civilians are trapped in the city.
Millions of people displaced
Millions of people have been displaced in Sudan since fighting started between the SAF forces of General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and FSR paramilitaries under General Mohamed Hamdan Daglo last year.
Until now, El-Fasher, had been unaffected by the fighting and hosting a large number of refugees. Since mid-April, clashes and bombardments have been reported in the city and surrounding areas.
The statement from Guterres’ office said his personal envoy, Ramtane Lamamra, is trying to engage with the parties to de-escalate tensions in El Fasher.
The UN and United States have already warned that the breakdown of the fragile peace in El Fasher would be disastrous.
The city functions as the main humanitarian hub in the Darfur region and is home to around a quarter of Sudan’s 48 million people.
US diplomats On Wednesday had warned of a possible paramilitary operation on El Fasher.
