More than 60,000 Escape Sudan's City Following Capture by RSF Paramilitary Group, UN States
As stated by the UN refugee agency, more than 60,000 civilians have escaped the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was seized by the militia Rapid Support Forces over the weekend.
Accounts suggest multiple executions and atrocities as RSF fighters took control of the city following an 18-month encirclement marked by starvation and sustained attacks.
The exodus of those fleeing the fighting towards the community of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the past few days, according to UNHCR spokesperson.
They were narrating shocking stories of abuses, such as rape, and the humanitarian group was finding it difficult to secure sufficient accommodation and supplies for them.
All children was experiencing malnutrition, she added.
It is estimated that over 150,000 people are presently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's final fortress in the western part of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has disputed widespread claims that the killings in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and follow a trend of the Arab fighters focusing on non-Arab populations.
Yet the RSF has arrested one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in extrajudicial killings.
The group distributed footage depicting the fighter's apprehension subsequent to identification that he was involved in the death of multiple non-combatants close to el-Fasher.
Digital platform has confirmed that it has removed the account linked to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had controlled the account in his name.
Sudan was thrown into a internal conflict in April 2023 after a brutal struggle for power broke out between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.
It has resulted in a food crisis and allegations of ethnic cleansing in the Darfur area.
Over 150,000 persons have lost their lives in the fighting across the country, and roughly 12 million have abandoned their homes in what the UN has called the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
The capture of el-Fasher solidifies the regional separation in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in control of Sudan's west and significant areas of neighbouring Kordofan to the southern area, and the military occupying the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the Red Sea.
The two warring rivals had been partners - taking over together in a takeover in 2021 - but disagreed over an internationally backed proposal to move towards civilian leadership.
