Over 60,000 Run from Sudanese City Following Capture by RSF Militia, United Nations Reports
Per the United Nations refugee organization, more than 60,000 civilians have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the paramilitary RSF during the weekend.
Reports indicate mass executions and atrocities as RSF fighters entered the city following an year-and-a-half blockade marked by starvation and heavy bombardment.
The exodus of those fleeing the fighting towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the recent days, according to United Nations refugee agency representative.
Survivors were narrating terrible accounts of abuses, featuring rape, and the humanitarian group was having trouble to secure adequate shelter and food for them.
Each child was experiencing nutritional deficiencies, she noted.
It is estimated that in excess of 150,000 residents are currently unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the military's last fortress in the western part of Darfur.
The RSF has disputed broad accusations that the killings in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and mirror a pattern of the Arab militia groups attacking non-Arab communities.
Nevertheless the RSF has custodied one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in on-the-spot executions.
The organization distributed video revealing the member's apprehension subsequent to verification that he was involved in the killing of numerous non-combatants near el-Fasher.
Social media platform has confirmed that it has banned the account connected to Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had managed the profile in his name.
Sudan was entered a internal conflict in April 2023 after a vicious struggle for power began between its army and the RSF.
The conflict has caused a food crisis and accusations of genocide in the western Sudan.
More than 150,000 people have been killed in the fighting across the country, and roughly 12 million have fled their homes in what the UN has termed the most extensive humanitarian crisis.
The takeover of el-Fasher reinforces the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of western Sudan and a large portion of adjacent Kordofan to the south, and the military occupying the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the Red Sea.
The two warring rivals had been partners - taking over together in a takeover in 2021 - but split over an internationally backed plan to advance to civilian rule.