More than 36,000 Sudanese citizens have evacuated after capture of El Fasher to paramilitary group, reports UN agency
In excess of 36,000 civilians have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan region eastern part of Darfur beginning Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration agency.
The key central region connecting the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine area has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the two-year civil war between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary forces.
Massive Displacement Statistics
An approximated 36,825 people fled five districts in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, per data from the International Organization for Migration.
The people, primarily walking, moved toward Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently housing more than 652,000 evacuated individuals.
Heightened Forces Deployment
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday described a substantial rise in both RSF and army presence across urban and rural areas throughout the state.
Both military groups are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a important strategic and command hub that connects Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently circulated video message.
Regional Residents Describe Security Concerns
A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the number of RSF vehicles had grown significantly since the group's seizure of El Fasher.
"We stopped going to our farms, fearing clashes," the individual explained.
Another inhabitant, who asked to remain unnamed for safety concerns, also confirmed that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
International Alarms and Appeals
A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnically motivated reprisals" by RSF in Bara.
The official cautioned about patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF militants have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against non-Arab ethnic groups.
The religious leader on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire and the creation of relief routes in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and obstacles 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 engage with the armed faction.
The diplomat further encouraged the global community to designate the group as a terrorist organisation.