Over 60,000 Run from Sudanese City In the wake of Seizure by RSF Militia, United Nations Says
As stated by the United Nations refugee organization, over 60,000 civilians have left the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was seized by the paramilitary RSF recently.
There have been multiple executions and crimes against humanity as paramilitary forces took control of the city after an year-and-a-half blockade featuring famine and intense shelling.
The exodus of those fleeing the conflict towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had grown in the last several days, as stated by United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.
They were telling horrendous accounts of abuses, including sexual violence, and the humanitarian group was having trouble to find adequate accommodation and nourishment for them.
All children was experiencing undernourishment, she noted.
Estimates suggest that over 150,000 residents are currently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's final stronghold in the western region of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has disputed broad allegations that the killings in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and follow a practice of the Arab fighters focusing on non-Arab communities.
Nevertheless the paramilitary group has custodied one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with extrajudicial killings.
The organization distributed recordings showing the militiaman's detention following identification that he was responsible for the death of numerous non-combatants in the vicinity of el-Fasher.
Digital platform has confirmed that it has suspended the profile connected to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had operated the account in his name.
Sudan was thrown into a domestic fighting in April 2023 following a intense contest for control erupted between its military and the RSF.
This has caused a food crisis and claims of genocide in the western Sudan.
Over 150,000 individuals have lost their lives in the conflict across the country, and approximately 12 million have fled their dwellings in what the UN has termed the world's largest humanitarian disaster.
The capture of el-Fasher strengthens the regional separation in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in command of western Sudan and a large portion of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the army holding the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the coastal region.
The competing factions had been allies - gaining control together in a coup in 2021 - but split over an internationally backed initiative to advance to civilian rule.