More than 36,000 Sudanese people have fled following fall of El Fasher to RSF, says UN agency
Over 36,000 civilians have fled Sudan's Kordofan territory eastern sector of Darfur starting Saturday, as stated by the UN's migration agency.
The strategic central area connecting the country's Darfur provinces and the Khartoum-Riverine area has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the extended civil war between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary group.
Significant Displacement Statistics
An calculated 36,825 people evacuated from five areas in North Kordofan province between 26 October and 31 October, per data from the International Organization for Migration.
The individuals, mainly traveling by foot, moved toward Tawila, a town west of El Fasher that is currently housing more than 652,000 displaced people.
Increased Military Presence
Residents of North Kordofan on Monday described a significant increase in both RSF and army deployment across urban and rural areas throughout the state.
Both armed factions are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a critical supply and command base that joins Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently circulated video message.
Local Inhabitants Report Security Concerns
A resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the number of RSF vehicles had risen considerably since the group's capture of El Fasher.
"We discontinued traveling to our farms, afraid of clashes," the local commented.
Another civilian, who requested anonymity for safety concerns, also reported that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.
Global Alarms and Calls
A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.
The diplomat 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 spiritual head on Sunday urged an quick cessation of hostilities and the opening of relief routes in Sudan, declaring that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not engage with the paramilitary group.
The representative further encouraged the world nations to categorize the group as a terrorist group.
