In excess of 60,000 Run from Sudanese City After Takeover by RSF Militia, UN Reports
According to the United Nations refugee organization, over 60,000 people have left the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was captured by the militia RSF during the weekend.
Accounts suggest multiple executions and atrocities as militia members entered the city after an year-and-a-half blockade characterized by starvation and heavy bombardment.
The exodus of those fleeing the conflict towards the town of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the last several days, per United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.
Survivors were describing terrible stories of atrocities, such as rape, and the organization was having trouble to find enough accommodation and supplies for them.
Every child was suffering from undernourishment, she added.
Calculations indicate that in excess of 150,000 residents are still trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the military's remaining stronghold in the western part of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has denied extensive allegations that the deaths in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and follow a practice of the Arab paramilitaries focusing on ethnic minorities.
Yet the paramilitary group has custodied one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with summary executions.
The force shared recordings revealing the fighter's arrest subsequent to identification that he was responsible for the death of numerous civilians near el-Fasher.
Video sharing service has verified that it has removed the profile connected to Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had managed the account in his name.
Sudan was plunged into a civil war in April 2023 following a intense struggle for power broke out between its military and the RSF.
The conflict has led to a food crisis and accusations of ethnic cleansing in the western Darfur region.
Over 150,000 individuals have lost their lives in the war across the country, and about 12 million have left their residences in what the UN has described as the most extensive humanitarian crisis.
The takeover of el-Fasher solidifies the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of the western region and a large portion of bordering Kordofan to the south, and the military holding the main city, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.
The two warring rivals had been partners - coming to power together in a coup in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported plan to move towards civilian rule.
