More than 36,000 Sudanese citizens have escaped following capture of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, states UN agency

In excess of 36,000 civilians have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan area east of Darfur beginning Saturday, according to the UN's migration agency.

The key central region connecting the country's Darfur areas and the Khartoum-Riverine area has during recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group.

Massive Displacement Numbers

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

The civilians, mainly traveling by foot, traveled to Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently sheltering in excess of 652,000 displaced people.

Escalated Military Presence

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

Both forces are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a critical supply and command center that connects Darfur to Khartoum.

"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently shared video declaration.

Area Citizens Detail Safety Fears

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

"We ceased visiting our farms, fearing fighting," the local stated.

Another inhabitant, who sought confidentiality for safety concerns, also reported that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the previous fortnight.

International Concerns and Requests

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

The official cautioned about patterns comparable to patterns in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against non-Arab ethnic groups.

The spiritual head on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire and the creation of relief routes in Sudan, declaring that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the armed faction.

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

Kayla Cunningham
Kayla Cunningham

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