More than 60,000 Escape Sudanese City After Capture by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, UN Says

Displaced people fleeing violence in the region
Many are attempting to reach the town of Tawila but experience harassment, demands for money and mistreatment from fighters along the way

As stated by the UN refugee agency, in excess of 60,000 civilians have escaped the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the paramilitary RSF over the weekend.

There have been mass executions and crimes against humanity as militia members entered the city following an extended blockade marked by famine and heavy bombardment.

The flow of those running from the conflict towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had grown in the past few days, as stated by United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.

They were narrating horrendous stories of abuses, such as rape, and the agency was having trouble to secure sufficient housing and food for them.

All children was experiencing undernourishment, she added.

Estimates suggest that more than 150,000 residents are still stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's remaining stronghold in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has disputed extensive claims that the deaths in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and follow a trend of the Arab militia groups focusing on ethnic minorities.

However the paramilitary group has custodied one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in on-the-spot executions.

The group shared footage revealing the militiaman's apprehension subsequent to confirmation that he was involved in the killing of multiple non-combatants close to el-Fasher.

Social media platform has confirmed that it has removed the channel connected to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had operated the account in his name.

Sudan was entered a internal conflict in April 2023 following a intense power struggle erupted between its army and the RSF.

The conflict has caused a food crisis and claims of ethnic cleansing in the western Darfur region.

More than 150,000 people have died in the fighting around the country, and approximately 12 million have left their dwellings in what the UN has described as the most extensive humanitarian disaster.

The takeover of el-Fasher strengthens the geographic split in the country, with the RSF now in command of Sudan's west and significant areas of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the army holding the main city, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.

The opposing sides had been collaborators - taking over together in a coup in 2021 - but disagreed over an internationally backed proposal to transition to civilian rule.

Sara Gates
Sara Gates

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