Atrocity Alert is a weekly publication by the Global Centre for the Responsibility to Protect highlighting and updating situations where populations are at risk of, or are enduring, mass atrocity crimes.

Syria

Amid a halted peace process, government and Russian airstrikes on rebel-held positions in Aleppo, Syria, intensified over the past week. Despite UN Security Council resolutions condemning attacks on civilians and healthcare in conflict, the government has bombed hospitals, schools and displacement camps, killing at least 500 civilians in Aleppo since 22 April. On 6 June UN OCHA warned that a separate offensive by United States-backed rebel forces against ISIL in Manbij could result in the displacement of more than 200,000 civilians.

Iraq

As the government continues its offensive against ISIL in Fallujah, Iraqi Security Forces and Shia militias have reportedly perpetrated human rights abuses against Sunni civilians fleeing the city. On 7 June the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a statement noting that “people who have suffered two and a half years of living hell under ISIL” are facing “double jeopardy.” The High Commissioner emphasized that the government must protect all civilians.

Sudan

This Saturday, 11 June, will mark the fifth anniversary of the conflict in South Kordofan and Blue Nile, Sudan. Recent fighting between Sudanese Armed Forces and the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North have put populations in Kauda and Heiban at risk, with reports of increasing aerial bombardments and ground attacks. UNHCR reported on 3 June that during May at least 3,000 refugees fleeing South Kordofan arrived in South Sudan.