Over 36,000 Sudanese citizens have escaped since capture of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, says UN agency

In excess of 36,000 individuals have fled Sudan's Kordofan territory east of Darfur starting Saturday, according to the UN's immigration body.

The important central zone separating the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine area has during recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the extended civil war between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary group.

Significant Exodus Statistics

An calculated 36,825 people fled five districts in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The civilians, primarily walking, moved toward Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently housing in excess of 652,000 refugees.

Heightened Military Presence

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

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

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

Regional Inhabitants Report Safety Fears

A resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the quantity of RSF vehicles had increased significantly since the group's takeover of El Fasher.

"We discontinued traveling to our farms, afraid of clashes," the individual stated.

Another resident, who asked to remain unnamed for protection purposes, 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.

International Warnings and Requests

A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "large-scale atrocities" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.

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

The religious leader on Sunday called for an quick cessation of hostilities and the establishment of relief routes in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the paramilitary group.

The representative further urged the world nations to classify the group as a terrorist entity.

Vickie Lawrence
Vickie Lawrence

AI researcher and software engineer with a passion for demystifying complex technologies through accessible writing.