Over 60,000 Run from Sudan's City In the wake of Takeover by RSF Militia, UN Reports
Per the UNHCR, in excess of 60,000 people have escaped the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces during the weekend.
There have been mass executions and atrocities as militia members entered the city after an extended blockade marked by famine and sustained attacks.
The exodus of those escaping the conflict towards the town of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, as stated by United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.
They were telling shocking stories of atrocities, including sexual violence, and the agency was having trouble to secure adequate housing and food for them.
All children was experiencing undernourishment, she commented.
Calculations indicate that over 150,000 residents are still stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the military's last stronghold in the western part of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has rejected broad claims that the killings in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and follow a trend of the Arab militia groups targeting ethnic minorities.
Nevertheless the paramilitary group has arrested one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with summary executions.
The organization released video revealing the militiaman's apprehension following identification that he was behind the execution of numerous civilians close to el-Fasher.
Video sharing service has acknowledged that it has suspended the profile connected to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had managed the profile in his identity.
Sudan was entered a civil war in April 2023 when a intense contest for control broke out between its military and the Rapid Support Forces.
The conflict has resulted in a famine and claims of mass killing in the Darfur area.
Over 150,000 persons have lost their lives in the war throughout the country, and approximately 12 million have abandoned their homes in what the UN has described as the biggest global humanitarian crisis.
The seizure of el-Fasher solidifies the territorial division in the country, with the RSF now in control of the western region and much of bordering Kordofan to the south, and the army occupying the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the coastal region.
The competing factions had been partners - coming to power together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but fell out over an foreign-endorsed initiative to transition to civilian rule.