UN Condemns RSF Attacks in Sudan as Rapporteur Demands Accountability for Civilian Killings in Lebanon

The United Nations has condemned recent deadly assaults on civilians in Sudan’s Darfur region while a UN special rapporteur urged accountability for killings of civilians in Lebanon, underscoring growing international concern over violations of humanitarian law in both crises.

More details in the following report:

In Sudan, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights highlighted a wave of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) strikes around el-Fasher, which the UN said killed at least 53 civilians over three days and wounded more than 60 — including in attacks on a hospital, a mosque and displacement camps. The UN statement described summary executions and attacks on places of refuge as possible war crimes. These findings were reported by JURIST, which cited the UN rights office’s condemnation.

Local groups and other media put some casualty figures higher: a Darfur displacement group reported up to 60 civilians killed in strikes on a shelter, and a separate UN briefing noted that RSF operations in Darfur have killed dozens in recent weeks as the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces battle for control. Humanitarian sources warn that repeated strikes on healthcare and camps aggravate displacement and block aid delivery.

Separately, JURIST reported that the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions has called for impartial investigations into civilian deaths in Lebanon, pointing to incidents that include the 2023 strike that killed Reuters journalist Issam Abdallah and alleging that some attacks may amount to unlawful killings under international law. The rapporteur urged Lebanese and international authorities to pursue accountability and protection for civilians and journalists.

The UN’s twin statements increase pressure on parties in Sudan and actors involved in Lebanon to allow independent investigations, facilitate humanitarian access, and protect civilians. Rights groups have demanded prompt, transparent probes and have urged member states to back mechanisms that can document abuses for future legal accountability.