Over 36,000 Sudanese have escaped after takeover of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, says UN agency
More than 36,000 individuals have fled Sudan's Kordofan area east of Darfur starting Saturday, according to the UN's immigration body.
The important central zone separating the country's Darfur regions and the capital region has during recent weeks become the latest battleground in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary forces.
Massive Evacuation Statistics
An calculated 36,825 people escaped 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, headed to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently accommodating in excess of 652,000 refugees.
Heightened Military Presence
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday reported a significant increase in both RSF and army concentration across communities throughout the state.
Both military groups are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a important strategic and command hub that connects Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently distributed video declaration.
Area Inhabitants Describe Protection Issues
A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the quantity of RSF vehicles had increased significantly since the group's seizure of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, fearing clashes," the individual commented.
Another inhabitant, who sought confidentiality for security reasons, also confirmed that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.
World Alarms and Requests
A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnically motivated reprisals" by RSF in Bara.
The diplomat warned of patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF militants have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The religious leader on Sunday called for an prompt truce and the creation 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 committing war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the paramilitary group.
The ambassador further encouraged the world nations to classify the group as a terrorist organisation.