More than 60,000 Escape Sudanese City In the wake of Seizure by RSF Militia, UN Reports
Per the UN refugee agency, in excess of 60,000 civilians have left the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was seized by the paramilitary RSF over the weekend.
Accounts suggest mass executions and crimes against humanity as RSF fighters stormed the city after an year-and-a-half siege characterized by starvation and heavy bombardment.
The exodus of those fleeing the conflict towards the community of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the past few days, according to United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.
Survivors were describing shocking accounts of violence, such as sexual violence, and the agency was finding it difficult to locate sufficient housing and nourishment for them.
Every child was suffering from malnutrition, she commented.
It is estimated that in excess of 150,000 individuals are currently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the military's last fortress in the western region of Darfur.
The RSF has denied widespread claims that the killings in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and resemble a pattern of the Arab militia groups focusing on ethnic minorities.
Yet the RSF has custodied one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of extrajudicial killings.
The group released recordings depicting the militiaman's apprehension after verification that he was involved in the death of several civilians close to el-Fasher.
Social media platform has acknowledged that it has removed the channel connected to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had controlled the profile in his name.
Sudan was entered a civil war in April 2023 following a brutal struggle for power broke out between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.
The conflict has resulted in a starvation emergency and claims of ethnic cleansing in the western Darfur region.
Over 150,000 people have lost their lives in the war around the country, and about 12 million have fled their homes in what the United Nations has termed the most extensive humanitarian emergency.
The seizure of el-Fasher solidifies the territorial division in the country, with the RSF now in control of the western region and significant areas of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the military holding the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the coastal region.
The two warring rivals had been collaborators - coming to power together in a coup in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported initiative to transition to democratic governance.
