The United Kingdom is considering imposing sanctions on individuals involved in the violent civil conflict in Sudan, with reports indicating that the aftermath of massacres is visible from satellites in space.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper presented satellite imagery revealing disturbing scenes of bodies piled up and sand stained with blood following the capture of el-Fasher by armed paramilitary groups in Sudan. The conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF) has resulted in over 30 million people requiring urgent aid and 12 million being displaced.

Cooper labeled the situation as the most severe humanitarian crisis of the 21st Century, highlighting the spread of famine, widespread diseases like cholera, and heinous acts of violence in el-Fasher, including mass executions, starvation, and the systematic use of rape as a weapon of war.

She emphasized that the atrocities were so horrifying that they could be observed from space, with satellite images depicting signs of mass killings, burning of bodies, and efforts to bury bodies in mass graves. Cooper announced plans to expedite potential sanctions related to human rights violations in Sudan.

In a related move, the UK government had previously sanctioned businesses supporting the SAF or RSF and frozen assets of companies associated with the conflict. Efforts are underway to secure a three-month humanitarian ceasefire to facilitate the delivery of essential aid to the affected region.

Additionally, Cooper criticized Israel’s response to settler violence in the West Bank as inadequate, stressing the importance of stability in the region for sustainable peace. She called for the swift deployment of an international stabilisation force and trained Palestinian police to support a ceasefire and prevent potential exploitation by militant groups. Cooper also advocated for the prompt establishment of a Palestinian committee to advance peace efforts in the area.