Over 36,000 Sudanese citizens have fled following takeover of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, says UN agency
More than 36,000 civilians have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan territory east of Darfur beginning Saturday, as stated by the UN's migration organization.
The strategic central area between the country's Darfur provinces and the Khartoum-Riverine region has during recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary forces.
Substantial Displacement Statistics
An calculated 36,825 people escaped five districts in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The people, mainly traveling by foot, traveled to Tawila, a town west of El Fasher that is currently accommodating more than 652,000 refugees.
Heightened Troop Concentration
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday described a significant increase in both RSF and army concentration across communities throughout the state.
Both forces are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a important strategic and command hub that joins Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently circulated video message.
Regional Citizens Detail Security Concerns
A resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the amount of RSF vehicles had increased substantially since the group's capture of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, fearing clashes," the resident stated.
Another civilian, who asked to remain unnamed for security reasons, also confirmed that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
Global Alarms and Appeals
A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnically motivated reprisals" by RSF in Bara.
The representative cautioned about patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.
The religious leader on Sunday appealed for an quick cessation of hostilities and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the militia organization.
The ambassador further called on the global community to classify the group as a terrorist entity.