Over 60,000 Flee Sudan's City After Takeover by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, United Nations Says
As stated by the UNHCR, in excess of 60,000 individuals have left the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the militia Rapid Support Forces during the weekend.
Reports indicate multiple executions and human rights violations as RSF fighters entered the city following an extended blockade characterized by food shortages and heavy bombardment.
The flow of those running from the fighting towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the recent days, per United Nations refugee agency representative.
Survivors were narrating terrible accounts of atrocities, featuring sexual violence, and the humanitarian group was struggling to secure adequate housing and nourishment for them.
Each child was affected by nutritional deficiencies, she added.
Estimates suggest that more than 150,000 residents are still trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the military's last stronghold in the western part of Darfur.
The RSF has denied broad accusations that the deaths in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and resemble a pattern of the Arab fighters focusing on ethnic minorities.
Nevertheless the RSF has custodied one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of on-the-spot executions.
The group released recordings revealing the fighter's detention following verification that he was behind the killing of several unarmed men in the vicinity of el-Fasher.
Digital platform has acknowledged that it has suspended the account linked to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had controlled the profile in his name.
Sudan was thrown into a civil war in April 2023 following a brutal power struggle began between its army and the RSF.
This has led to a starvation emergency and allegations of mass killing in the western Sudan.
Over 150,000 people have been killed in the conflict around the country, and about 12 million have left their homes in what the United Nations has called the most extensive humanitarian emergency.
The capture of el-Fasher reinforces the geographic split in the country, with the RSF now in control of the western region and much of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the army occupying the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.
The opposing sides had been partners - taking over together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but disagreed over an internationally backed initiative to advance to democratic governance.