Over 60,000 Run from Sudanese City In the wake of Capture by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, UN Reports
According to the United Nations refugee organization, in excess of 60,000 people have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces recently.
There have been summary killings and atrocities as paramilitary forces took control of the city following an extended encirclement featuring starvation and heavy bombardment.
The flow of those running from the conflict towards the town of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the past few days, according to UNHCR spokesperson.
They were describing terrible accounts of atrocities, such as sexual violence, and the organization was struggling to secure adequate accommodation and food for them.
All children was affected by nutritional deficiencies, she commented.
It is estimated that over 150,000 people are presently unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the military's final fortress in the western part of Darfur.
The RSF has denied broad accusations that the deaths in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and resemble a trend of the Arab militia groups focusing on non-Arab populations.
However the paramilitary group has custodied one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of on-the-spot executions.
The force released recordings revealing the militiaman's arrest following confirmation that he was involved in the killing of multiple non-combatants near el-Fasher.
Digital platform has verified that it has banned the profile linked to Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had managed the profile in his name.
Sudan was thrown into a internal conflict in April 2023 when a intense struggle for power erupted between its army and the RSF.
This has led to a starvation emergency and accusations of mass killing in the western Sudan.
In excess of 150,000 individuals have died in the fighting throughout the country, and approximately 12 million have left their dwellings in what the UN has termed the most extensive humanitarian disaster.
The seizure of el-Fasher solidifies the geographic split in the country, with the RSF now in command of the western region and much of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the military controlling the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the Red Sea.
The competing factions had been allies - taking over together in a takeover in 2021 - but split over an globally supported plan to advance to civilian leadership.