More than 36,000 Sudanese citizens have escaped since takeover of El Fasher to RSF, states UN agency

In excess of 36,000 civilians have fled Sudan's Kordofan region eastern part of Darfur beginning Saturday, as stated by the UN's migration organization.

The important central zone connecting the country's Darfur provinces and the Khartoum-Riverine region has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the extended civil war between the Sudanese armed forces and the militia group.

Massive Evacuation Numbers

An calculated 36,825 people escaped five districts in North Kordofan province between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.

The people, most on foot, headed to Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently sheltering more than 652,000 refugees.

Heightened Military Presence

Residents of North Kordofan on Monday described a heavy surge in both RSF and army presence across urban and rural areas throughout the state.

Both armed factions are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a important strategic and command base that connects Darfur to Khartoum.

"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently shared video declaration.

Area Inhabitants Report Security Concerns

A resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the quantity of RSF vehicles had grown substantially since the group's capture of El Fasher.

"We stopped going to our farms, concerned about fighting," the local explained.

Another inhabitant, who sought confidentiality for security reasons, also confirmed that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.

World Concerns and Requests

A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "large-scale atrocities" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.

The official alerted to patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.

The spiritual head on Sunday appealed for an prompt truce and the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not engage with the paramilitary group.

The ambassador further encouraged the world nations to categorize the group as a terrorist organisation.

Mrs. Sara Garrett
Mrs. Sara Garrett

A passionate gamer and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in game journalism and community building.