El fasher: The International Criminal Court (ICC) announced that it has begun taking immediate steps to gather evidence related to the horrific crimes committed in El Fasher, western Sudan, for use in prosecutions.

According to Qatar News Agency, the ICC Prosecutor's Office warned that the atrocities committed in El Fasher could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity, noting that reports from the city describe mass killings and other crimes.

The statement added, "These atrocities are part of a wider pattern of violence that has plagued the entire Darfur region since April 2023," emphasizing that such crimes, if proven, could constitute war crimes and crimes against humanity under the Rome Statute of the ICC.

The statement continued, "There will be accountability for this type of heinous crime," pointing out that the ICC retains jurisdiction over alleged crimes in the ongoing conflict in Darfur.

According to UN estimates, some 36,000 civilians have fled El Fasher since last Sunday due to fighting between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Sudanese army, and many of them have headed to Tawila, a city that already shelters some 650,000 displaced people.