Over 60,000 Escape Sudan's City Following Takeover by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, UN States
Per the UNHCR, more than 60,000 civilians have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces over the weekend.
There have been summary killings and human rights violations as paramilitary forces took control of the city following an year-and-a-half encirclement marked by famine and heavy bombardment.
The movement of those escaping the conflict towards the town of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the last several days, per United Nations refugee agency representative.
Survivors were describing shocking stories of violence, including rape, and the humanitarian group was struggling to secure adequate accommodation and nourishment for them.
All children was suffering from malnutrition, she noted.
Estimates suggest that in excess of 150,000 people are presently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the military's final fortress in the western part of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has rejected widespread claims that the killings in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and follow a pattern of the Arab fighters attacking ethnic minorities.
Nevertheless the RSF has custodied one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with on-the-spot executions.
The organization released footage showing the fighter's detention subsequent to verification that he was responsible for the killing of several non-combatants in the vicinity of el-Fasher.
Video sharing service has verified that it has suspended the profile connected to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had controlled the account in his name.
Sudan was thrown into a domestic fighting in April 2023 following a intense contest for control erupted between its military and the Rapid Support Forces.
This has caused a starvation emergency and allegations of genocide in the western Darfur region.
Over 150,000 people have lost their lives in the war across the country, and about 12 million have left their homes in what the UN has called the most extensive humanitarian crisis.
The seizure of el-Fasher strengthens the regional separation in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in dominance of Sudan's west and a large portion of neighbouring Kordofan to the southern area, and the army occupying the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the Red Sea.
The two warring rivals had been partners - taking over together in a coup in 2021 - but disagreed over an globally supported plan to move towards civilian rule.