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NEW YORK CITY: Countries that hold sway over the warring factions in Sudan must act quickly to stop a surge of atrocities, UN Human Rights chief Volker Turk warned on Friday as fighting intensified in Darfur and Kordofan.

“States, especially those who have influence over the parties to the conflict, are put on notice that unless they act quickly and decisively, there will be more of the carnage and atrocities that we have already witnessed,” Turk said.

“The Security Council’s arms embargo is clear: the provision of continuing military support to sustain parties committing serious violations must stop.”

Despite hopes for a potential ceasefire agreement, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces launched fresh drone attacks on the army-held cities of Khartoum and Atbara on Friday morning.

It came as people who fled El-Fasher after witnessing the recent takeover of the city by the RSF continued to describe horrific killings of civilians, including people shot in the street, as well as drone strikes and brutal beatings.

Turk expressed fear that ‘abominable atrocities’ continue in the city, where hundreds of thousands of people are stuck and facing famine.

“Traumatized civilians are still trapped inside El-Fasher and are being prevented from leaving,” he said.

“I fear that the abominable atrocities, such as summary executions, rape and ethnically motivated violence, are continuing within the city.”

Those who attempt to flee face grave risks as they make their way along escape routes and are confronted by “unimaginable cruelty,” he added.

Turk also voiced alarm over escalating hostilities in Kordofan, citing concern about mounting levels of civilian casualties, destruction and displacement since the capture of El-Fasher.

“There is no sign of deescalation,” he said. “To the contrary, developments on the ground indicate clear preparations for intensified hostilities, with everything that implies for its long-suffering people.”

He urged countries to end any military support they provide to forces accused of serious rights violations, and renewed his plea for an immediate end to the violence.

“Bold and urgent action is required by the international community,” he added.

Fighting between Sudan’s army and the RSF has raged since April 2023, plunging the country into one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world.