At least 36,000 Sudanese have escaped after takeover of El Fasher to RSF, states UN agency

More than 36,000 people have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan region eastern sector of Darfur beginning Saturday, as stated by the UN's immigration body.

The key central region between the country's Darfur regions and the capital region has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the two-year civil war between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary forces.

Massive Evacuation Numbers

An approximated 36,825 people escaped five areas in North Kordofan province between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The individuals, most on foot, headed to Tawila, a town west of El Fasher that is currently sheltering over 652,000 refugees.

Escalated Military Presence

Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday noted a substantial rise in both RSF and army concentration across communities throughout the state.

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

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

Local Inhabitants Report Protection Issues

A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the quantity of RSF vehicles had risen significantly since the group's capture of El Fasher.

"We ceased visiting our farms, fearing clashes," the resident commented.

Another inhabitant, who requested anonymity for protection purposes, also indicated that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the previous fortnight.

Global Warnings and Appeals

A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.

The official warned of patterns comparable to patterns in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against non-Arab ethnic groups.

The spiritual head on Sunday appealed for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, declaring that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the paramilitary group.

The representative further encouraged the international community to designate the group as a terrorist group.

Henry Cooper
Henry Cooper

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