In excess of 60,000 Flee Sudanese City Following Takeover by RSF Paramilitary Group, UN Says
According to the UNHCR, in excess of 60,000 individuals have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary RSF recently.
There have been multiple executions and atrocities as militia members stormed the city after an extended siege featuring famine and heavy bombardment.
The flow of those fleeing the violence towards the town of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the last several days, according to UNHCR spokesperson.
Survivors were describing horrendous tales of violence, such as rape, and the humanitarian group was having trouble to secure enough shelter and food for them.
Every child was suffering from undernourishment, she commented.
Estimates suggest that over 150,000 individuals are presently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the military's remaining stronghold in the western region of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has disputed widespread allegations that the deaths in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and resemble a practice of the Arab militia groups targeting non-Arab communities.
However the paramilitary group has custodied one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with extrajudicial killings.
The force released footage showing the militiaman's apprehension after verification that he was responsible for the death of several civilians in the vicinity of el-Fasher.
Digital platform has acknowledged that it has removed the channel associated with Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had managed the profile in his identity.
Sudan was thrown into a domestic fighting in April 2023 after a intense contest for control erupted between its military and the Rapid Support Forces.
This has led to a famine and allegations of genocide in the western Sudan.
Over 150,000 persons have lost their lives in the war throughout the country, and approximately 12 million have abandoned their residences in what the UN has called the world's largest humanitarian disaster.
The capture of el-Fasher solidifies the regional separation in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in command of the western region and a large portion of bordering Kordofan to the south, and the army controlling the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the Red Sea.
The two warring rivals had been partners - taking over together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but fell out over an internationally backed proposal to move towards civilian leadership.
