Over 60,000 Escape Sudan's City After Seizure by Rapid Support Forces Militia, UN States

Refugees escaping violence in the region
Numerous are attempting to get to the settlement of Tawila but encounter intimidation, demands for money and mistreatment from fighters along the way

Per the United Nations refugee organization, over 60,000 people have escaped the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the paramilitary RSF over the weekend.

Reports indicate summary killings and crimes against humanity as paramilitary forces took control of the city after an year-and-a-half encirclement marked by starvation and heavy bombardment.

The movement of those running from the fighting towards the town of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, per United Nations refugee agency representative.

Survivors were describing horrendous tales of atrocities, including rape, and the humanitarian group was struggling to find enough accommodation and nourishment for them.

All children was suffering from undernourishment, she commented.

Calculations indicate that over 150,000 residents are currently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's last bastion in the western region of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has disputed broad allegations that the deaths in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and mirror a practice of the Arab fighters attacking non-Arab populations.

However the RSF has custodied one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in extrajudicial killings.

The organization distributed footage depicting the member's apprehension following confirmation that he was responsible for the killing of numerous civilians in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Digital platform has acknowledged that it has removed the channel associated with Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had operated the profile in his identity.

Sudan was plunged into a internal conflict in April 2023 following a brutal contest for control erupted between its military and the RSF.

It has resulted in a famine and allegations of mass killing in the western Darfur region.

Over 150,000 persons have died in the conflict across the country, and approximately 12 million have fled their residences in what the United Nations has called the most extensive humanitarian emergency.

The takeover of el-Fasher solidifies the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of western Sudan and a large portion of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the military holding the main city, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.

The competing factions had been allies - taking over together in a coup in 2021 - but disagreed over an internationally backed initiative to transition to civilian leadership.

Dana Jones
Dana Jones

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