More than 36,000 Sudanese have escaped after takeover of El Fasher to RSF, says UN agency
Over 36,000 individuals have fled Sudan's Kordofan area east of Darfur since Saturday, as stated by the UN's migration organization.
The important central zone between the country's Darfur areas and the Khartoum-Riverine region has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the two-year civil war between the Sudanese military forces and the militia group.
Massive Exodus Figures
An approximated 36,825 people fled five districts in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The individuals, primarily walking, moved toward Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently housing over 652,000 displaced people.
Increased Military Presence
Residents of North Kordofan on Monday noted a significant increase in both RSF and army concentration across towns and villages throughout the state.
Both forces are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a critical supply and command center that links Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," said an RSF member in a recently shared video statement.
Area Citizens Describe Safety Fears
A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the number of RSF vehicles had grown substantially since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We discontinued traveling to our farms, concerned about fighting," the local explained.
Another civilian, who requested anonymity for security reasons, also indicated that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.
International Alarms and Appeals
A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "large-scale atrocities" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.
The diplomat cautioned about patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The spiritual head on Sunday urged an prompt truce and the establishment of aid passageways in Sudan, declaring that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the paramilitary group.
The ambassador further encouraged the world nations to categorize the group as a terrorist organisation.
