In excess of 60,000 Escape Sudan's City Following Capture by RSF Militia, United Nations Says
As stated by the UNHCR, more than 60,000 individuals have escaped the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was seized by the paramilitary RSF during the weekend.
Reports indicate multiple executions and human rights violations as paramilitary forces stormed the city following an extended blockade characterized by famine and intense shelling.
The movement of those escaping the fighting towards the community of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, according to UNHCR representative.
They were describing horrendous stories of violence, featuring rape, and the organization was finding it difficult to locate sufficient shelter and nourishment for them.
All children was affected by undernourishment, she added.
It is estimated that more than 150,000 residents are currently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the army's remaining fortress in the western region of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has denied widespread claims that the killings in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and follow a trend of the Arab fighters focusing on non-Arab populations.
Nevertheless the RSF has arrested one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of summary executions.
The force shared video revealing the member's apprehension following identification that he was responsible for the death of multiple non-combatants close to el-Fasher.
Video sharing service has verified that it has suspended the account linked to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had operated the profile in his identity.
Sudan was entered a domestic fighting in April 2023 following a vicious power struggle erupted between its army and the RSF.
The conflict has led to a food crisis and claims of mass killing in the Darfur area.
Over 150,000 individuals have lost their lives in the conflict around the country, and approximately 12 million have abandoned their dwellings in what the UN has termed the biggest global humanitarian crisis.
The takeover of el-Fasher solidifies the geographic split in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in control of western Sudan and much of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the military occupying the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the coastal region.
The opposing sides had been partners - taking over together in a coup in 2021 - but split over an globally supported plan to advance to civilian rule.