Over 36,000 Sudanese have escaped after capture of El Fasher to paramilitary group, states UN agency

Over 36,000 individuals have fled Sudan's Kordofan region eastern sector of Darfur beginning Saturday, as reported by the UN's immigration body.

The important central zone between the country's Darfur provinces and the capital region has during recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary forces.

Significant Displacement Numbers

An approximated 36,825 people escaped five areas in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.

The individuals, most on foot, traveled to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently sheltering over 652,000 evacuated individuals.

Heightened Military Presence

Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday described a significant increase in both RSF and army deployment across towns and villages throughout the state.

Both armed factions are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a critical supply and command center that links Darfur to Khartoum.

"Today, all our forces have assembled at the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently distributed video message.

Regional Residents Describe Security Concerns

A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the amount of RSF vehicles had increased substantially since the group's capture of El Fasher.

"We discontinued traveling to our farms, afraid of clashes," the resident commented.

Another civilian, who asked to remain unnamed for protection purposes, also indicated that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.

Global Concerns and Appeals

A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnically motivated reprisals" by RSF in Bara.

The diplomat alerted to patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.

The church leader on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."

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

The representative further called on the global community to designate the group as a terrorist entity.

Ronald Cox
Ronald Cox

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