In excess of 60,000 Run from Sudanese City Following Seizure by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, UN Reports
As stated by the United Nations refugee organization, more than 60,000 civilians have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was seized by the paramilitary RSF over the weekend.
Accounts suggest mass executions and human rights violations as paramilitary forces stormed the city following an 18-month encirclement characterized by famine and intense shelling.
The flow of those escaping the fighting towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had grown in the past few days, per United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.
Refugees were describing horrendous tales of violence, featuring rape, and the organization was finding it difficult to find sufficient accommodation and food for them.
Every child was affected by undernourishment, she commented.
It is estimated that more than 150,000 people are presently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's final bastion in the western part of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has denied widespread claims that the executions in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and follow a pattern of the Arab fighters targeting ethnic minorities.
However the RSF has arrested one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with extrajudicial killings.
The force released recordings showing the member's apprehension subsequent to confirmation that he was responsible for the execution of several unarmed men close to el-Fasher.
Video sharing service has verified that it has banned the profile linked to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had managed the account in his name.
Sudan was plunged into a domestic fighting in April 2023 when a intense power struggle broke out between its military and the RSF.
The conflict has led to a famine and accusations of genocide in the western Darfur region.
In excess of 150,000 persons have died in the conflict throughout the country, and about 12 million have abandoned their homes in what the UN has termed the biggest global humanitarian disaster.
The seizure of el-Fasher reinforces the geographic split in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of the western region and a large portion of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the army holding the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the Red Sea.
The competing factions had been partners - taking over together in a takeover in 2021 - but fell out over an internationally backed initiative to transition to democratic governance.