Over 60,000 Run from Sudanese City Following Seizure by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, United Nations Says
Per the United Nations refugee organization, in excess of 60,000 people have escaped the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces recently.
Reports indicate mass executions and crimes against humanity as militia members took control of the city following an 18-month siege featuring food shortages and sustained attacks.
The movement of those running from the conflict towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the last several days, as stated by UNHCR representative.
Survivors were telling shocking tales of violence, featuring rape, and the humanitarian group was having trouble to find adequate shelter and food for them.
Each child was experiencing undernourishment, she commented.
It is estimated that more than 150,000 residents are currently unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the military's final bastion in the western part of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has disputed extensive claims that the deaths in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and mirror a trend of the Arab militia groups targeting non-Arab communities.
However the RSF has custodied one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with summary executions.
The group shared footage showing the member's detention following verification that he was behind the execution of numerous non-combatants near el-Fasher.
Social media platform has acknowledged that it has banned the channel connected to Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had operated the account in his name.
Sudan was entered a domestic fighting in April 2023 after a vicious contest for control began between its military and the RSF.
It has led to a famine and accusations of mass killing in the western Sudan.
In excess of 150,000 individuals have lost their lives in the war around the country, and about 12 million have fled their dwellings in what the United Nations has described as the most extensive humanitarian crisis.
The takeover of el-Fasher strengthens the geographic split in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in command of Sudan's west and a large portion of bordering Kordofan to the south, and the army controlling the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the Red Sea.
The opposing sides had been allies - coming to power together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported plan to transition to civilian rule.