GENEVA, Jan 17 (Kuna) -- The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk warned that the conflict in Sudan is taking a dangerous turn for civilians amid reports of dozens killed in ethnically targeted attacks in Al-Jazirah and an imminent battle for control of Khartoum.
In a Press statement in Geneva, Turk said that evidence of the commission of war crimes and other atrocity crimes was seen, reporting that, in the last week alone, his office documented at least 21 deaths in just two attacks in Al-Jazirah state.
He called for prompt independent impartial and transparent investigations into all reports of violations and abuses.
He said that reports suggest the attacks were carried out by the Sudan Shield Forces led by Abu Aqla Keikal, a former Rapid Support Forces (RSF) commander, targeting Al-Kanabi, an ethnic group of Al-Nuba and other African tribes.
Turk added that the Sudanese authorities assured a full investigation to bring those responsible to justice and that an investigation committee has been established.
He further reported that his office received three videos documenting scenes of violence including unlawful killings and dehumanization of victims, which the perpetrators call cleaning operations.
The statement pointed out that serious concerns also persist for civilians in North Darfur, where ethnically motivated attacks by the RSF and its allied militias against African ethnic groups, particularly the Zaghawa and the Fur, continue to exact a horrific toll.
Separately in the city of Omdurman, some 120 civilians were reportedly killed and more than 150 others injured in drone attacks on a market in an RSF-controlled area in Dar Al-Salam.
Turk called for an independent, impartial and transparent investigations into all reports of violations and abuses.
He renewed his call on both parties to uphold international humanitarian and human rights obligations, warning that the proliferation of militia recruitment and mobilization of fighters, largely along ethnic lines, risks "unleashing a broader civil war and inter-communal violence.
The High Commissioner stressed that the SAF and RSF must take immediate measures to ensure the protection of all civilians by taking all feasible measures and minimize harm to civilians in the conduct of hostilities. (end) imf.ao