Over 36,000 Sudanese citizens have fled following capture of El Fasher to RSF, says UN agency

In excess of 36,000 civilians have escaped Sudan's Kordofan region east of Darfur beginning Saturday, according to the UN's migration agency.

The key central region between the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine region has in recent weeks become the latest battleground in the two-year civil war between the Sudanese army and the militia group.

Substantial Exodus Statistics

An estimated 36,825 people evacuated from five districts in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.

The civilians, mainly traveling by foot, traveled to Tawila, a town west of El Fasher that is currently sheltering in excess of 652,000 refugees.

Increased Forces Deployment

Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday described a significant increase in both RSF and army presence across towns and villages throughout the state.

Both forces are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a key logistics and command base that links Darfur to Khartoum.

"Today, all our forces have assembled at the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently circulated video message.

Regional Residents Describe Security Concerns

A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the amount of RSF vehicles had grown significantly since the group's seizure of El Fasher.

"We ceased visiting our farms, fearing confrontations," the individual explained.

Another resident, who requested anonymity for security reasons, also confirmed that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.

International Concerns and Requests

A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "extensive crimes" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.

The representative cautioned about patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against non-Arab ethnic groups.

The religious leader on Sunday appealed for an prompt truce and the opening of aid passageways in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the paramilitary group.

The diplomat further encouraged the international community to categorize the group as a terrorist organisation.

Natalie Vega
Natalie Vega

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