More than 36,000 Sudanese citizens have escaped following takeover of El Fasher to paramilitary group, reports UN agency
More than 36,000 individuals have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan territory eastern sector of Darfur since Saturday, as stated by the UN's migration organization.
The important central zone separating the country's Darfur areas and the capital region has during recent weeks become the latest battleground in the extended civil war between the Sudanese army and the militia group.
Massive Evacuation Numbers
An calculated 36,825 people fled five areas in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The individuals, mainly traveling by foot, moved toward Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently housing more than 652,000 evacuated individuals.
Escalated Forces Deployment
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday reported a significant increase in both RSF and army presence across towns and villages throughout the state.
Both military groups are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a critical supply and command base that links Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have assembled at the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently distributed video declaration.
Regional Inhabitants Report Safety Fears
A resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the number of RSF vehicles had risen significantly since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We discontinued traveling to our farms, fearing fighting," the resident stated.
Another inhabitant, who requested anonymity for security reasons, also indicated that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
Global Alarms and Calls
A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "extensive crimes" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.
The official warned of patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against non-Arab ethnic groups.
The church leader on Sunday appealed for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of relief routes in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's ambassador to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not engage with the paramilitary group.
The ambassador further encouraged the international community to designate the group as a terrorist entity.
