Over 60,000 Run from Sudanese City After Seizure by Rapid Support Forces Militia, UN States
As stated by the UNHCR, over 60,000 civilians have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the militia RSF during the weekend.
Reports indicate summary killings and human rights violations as paramilitary forces stormed the city after an year-and-a-half encirclement marked by famine and sustained attacks.
The movement of those running from the fighting towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had grown in the past few days, according to United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.
Refugees were describing terrible tales of abuses, such as rape, and the agency was having trouble to find enough shelter and nourishment for them.
Each child was experiencing nutritional deficiencies, she added.
It is estimated that in excess of 150,000 residents are still stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's remaining bastion in the western part of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has rejected broad claims that the executions in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and resemble a trend of the Arab paramilitaries focusing on non-Arab populations.
Yet the paramilitary group has detained one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with summary executions.
The group shared recordings revealing the militiaman's apprehension after confirmation that he was behind the death of several unarmed men close to el-Fasher.
Social media platform has verified that it has banned the profile connected to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had managed the account in his name.
Sudan was entered a internal conflict in April 2023 after a intense power struggle began between its military and the Rapid Support Forces.
It has caused a starvation emergency and claims of ethnic cleansing in the Darfur area.
In excess of 150,000 people have been killed in the conflict throughout the country, and about 12 million have fled their residences in what the United Nations has termed the biggest global humanitarian emergency.
The takeover of el-Fasher solidifies the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of Sudan's west and significant areas of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the military holding the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.
The competing factions had been allies - taking over together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but fell out over an foreign-endorsed initiative to transition to civilian leadership.