At least 36,000 Sudanese have escaped after takeover of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, reports UN agency

Over 36,000 individuals have escaped Sudan's Kordofan region east of Darfur starting Saturday, according to the UN's migration agency.

The strategic central area connecting the country's Darfur provinces and the Khartoum-Riverine region has during recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the two-year civil war between the Sudanese army and the militia group.

Massive Exodus Figures

An estimated 36,825 people fled five localities in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, per data from the International Organization for Migration.

The individuals, most on foot, moved toward Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently accommodating more than 652,000 displaced people.

Increased Military Presence

Residents of North Kordofan on Monday noted a heavy surge in both RSF and army presence across communities throughout the state.

Both military groups are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a important strategic and command hub that joins Darfur to Khartoum.

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

Regional Inhabitants Report Security Concerns

A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the number of RSF vehicles had grown significantly since the group's takeover of El Fasher.

"We discontinued traveling to our farms, concerned about clashes," the individual explained.

Another civilian, who asked to remain unnamed for safety concerns, also reported that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.

Global Concerns and Requests

A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnically motivated reprisals" by RSF in Bara.

The representative warned of patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.

The spiritual head on Sunday called 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 perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the militia organization.

The ambassador further called on the world nations to categorize the group as a terrorist entity.

Mr. William Kerr
Mr. William Kerr

An avid mountaineer and writer sharing insights from global expeditions and wilderness survival.