More than 36,000 Sudanese have evacuated after fall of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, reports UN agency
More than 36,000 individuals have escaped Sudan's Kordofan area east of Darfur starting Saturday, according to the UN's immigration body.
The important central zone between the country's Darfur areas and the Khartoum-Riverine region has over recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese army and the militia group.
Massive Exodus Statistics
An approximated 36,825 people escaped five districts in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The individuals, primarily walking, moved toward Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently accommodating more than 652,000 evacuated individuals.
Increased Military Presence
Residents of North Kordofan on Monday noted a substantial rise in both RSF and army presence across towns and villages throughout the state.
Both forces are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a critical supply and command hub that links Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently distributed video message.
Local Inhabitants Detail Safety Fears
A resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the number of RSF vehicles had increased substantially since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We discontinued traveling to our farms, concerned about clashes," the local stated.
Another civilian, who asked to remain unnamed for protection purposes, also confirmed that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
International Alarms and Appeals
A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.
The official alerted to patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.
The spiritual head on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire and the creation of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, declaring that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the armed faction.
The representative further encouraged the world nations to classify the group as a terrorist organisation.