More than 36,000 Sudanese have escaped after fall of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, says UN agency
More than 36,000 civilians have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan region eastern sector of Darfur beginning Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration agency.
The strategic central area separating the country's Darfur provinces and the Khartoum-Riverine area has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary forces.
Massive Exodus Numbers
An estimated 36,825 people fled five localities in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The people, most on foot, traveled to Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently accommodating more than 652,000 displaced people.
Escalated Military Presence
Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday reported a substantial rise in both RSF and army deployment across urban and rural areas throughout the state.
Both military groups are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a critical supply and command hub that links Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have assembled at the Bara front here," said an RSF member in a recently distributed video declaration.
Regional Residents Describe Security Concerns
A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the quantity of RSF vehicles had grown significantly since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We stopped going to our farms, concerned about fighting," the resident commented.
Another inhabitant, who sought confidentiality for protection purposes, also reported that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.
International Warnings and Requests
A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.
The representative alerted to patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF militants have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The spiritual head on Sunday called for an quick cessation of hostilities and the creation of relief routes in Sudan, declaring that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the militia organization.
The representative further urged the world nations to designate the group as a terrorist entity.