More than 60,000 Escape Sudanese City After Seizure by RSF Militia, UN Reports
According to the UN refugee agency, in excess of 60,000 civilians have left the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary RSF over the weekend.
There have been summary killings and atrocities as paramilitary forces entered the city after an extended blockade marked by food shortages and intense shelling.
The flow of those escaping the conflict towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the last several days, as stated by United Nations refugee agency representative.
They were telling horrendous accounts of atrocities, featuring rape, and the humanitarian group was having trouble to locate sufficient accommodation and supplies for them.
All children was affected by undernourishment, she noted.
It is estimated that in excess of 150,000 individuals are still unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the army's last bastion in the western region of Darfur.
The RSF has disputed extensive claims that the executions in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and resemble a pattern of the Arab fighters attacking non-Arab communities.
Nevertheless the RSF has custodied one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of summary executions.
The organization released footage depicting the fighter's detention following identification that he was involved in the death of several non-combatants in the vicinity of el-Fasher.
Video sharing service has confirmed that it has banned the account associated with Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had operated the account in his identity.
Sudan was thrown into a domestic fighting in April 2023 following a intense struggle for power erupted between its army and the RSF.
The conflict has resulted in a food crisis and claims of genocide in the western Sudan.
Over 150,000 persons have died in the war throughout the country, and about 12 million have left their dwellings in what the United Nations has called the most extensive humanitarian emergency.
The capture of el-Fasher reinforces the territorial division in the country, with the RSF now in control of the western region and significant areas of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the military occupying the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.
The competing factions had been partners - taking over together in a coup in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported initiative to advance to civilian leadership.