By Erestinah Jane | July 8, 2026
United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk has issued a “red alert” over the rapidly deteriorating security situation in the Sudanese city of el-Obeid, warning that hundreds of thousands of civilians face the risk of mass atrocities as fighting intensifies around the strategic urban centre.
Addressing an urgent session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland, on Wednesday, July 8, Türk urged the international community to act swiftly to prevent further civilian suffering, saying the city was on the brink of a potentially devastating assault by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Describing the gravity of the situation, Türk stated:
“I am issuing a red alert for the protection of civilians in el-Obeid.”
He warned that the city’s residents are trapped by escalating violence and face severe threats from continued hostilities, with many unable to access humanitarian assistance or flee to safer areas.
Türk called on all parties to the conflict to respect international humanitarian law, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, and allow unhindered humanitarian access to those in need. He stressed that attacks targeting civilians or indiscriminate military operations could amount to serious violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.
The warning comes as Sudan’s civil war continues to deepen, with fierce fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces entering another critical phase. El-Obeid, the capital of North Kordofan State, is regarded as a strategically important city because it serves as a key transportation and logistics hub linking central Sudan with the country’s western regions.
According to the UN, prolonged conflict has displaced millions of people across Sudan, while widespread shortages of food, medicine and essential services have left large sections of the population dependent on humanitarian assistance. Aid agencies have repeatedly warned that continued fighting is worsening one of the world’s largest displacement and humanitarian crises.
Türk urged the international community to intensify diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire and ensuring accountability for human rights violations committed during the conflict. He also appealed for increased humanitarian support to address the growing needs of civilians caught in the violence.
The High Commissioner emphasized that protecting civilians must remain the highest priority, warning that failure to act promptly could result in catastrophic consequences for the people of el-Obeid and further destabilize an already fragile region.
The conflict in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has triggered widespread destruction, mass displacement and repeated allegations of war crimes by both sides. International organizations continue to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and renewed political dialogue to end the conflict and alleviate the humanitarian crisis facing millions of Sudanese civilians.
