In excess of 60,000 Escape Sudan's City After Capture by RSF Militia, United Nations Reports

Refugees escaping conflict in Sudan
Many seek to reach the town of Tawila but encounter harassment, extortion and abuse from militiamen during their journey

As stated by the UNHCR, in excess of 60,000 people have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary RSF during the weekend.

Reports indicate multiple executions and human rights violations as RSF fighters entered the city following an extended blockade characterized by starvation and heavy bombardment.

The exodus of those fleeing the conflict towards the town of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the past few days, per United Nations refugee agency representative.

Survivors were narrating terrible tales of atrocities, such as rape, and the agency was struggling to find adequate shelter and supplies for them.

All children was suffering from undernourishment, she commented.

It is estimated that in excess of 150,000 residents are currently unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the army's remaining fortress in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has denied widespread accusations that the executions in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and mirror a pattern of the Arab militia groups focusing on non-Arab populations.

Yet the paramilitary group has detained one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with extrajudicial killings.

The organization shared recordings showing the militiaman's detention after verification that he was responsible for the execution of numerous non-combatants near el-Fasher.

Digital platform has confirmed that it has banned the account connected to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had operated the profile in his name.

Sudan was thrown into a civil war in April 2023 after a vicious contest for control broke out between its military and the Rapid Support Forces.

It has caused a food crisis and allegations of ethnic cleansing in the western Sudan.

In excess of 150,000 persons have been killed in the conflict around the country, and approximately 12 million have fled their homes in what the United Nations has termed the most extensive humanitarian emergency.

The seizure of el-Fasher reinforces the geographic split in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in dominance of the western region and a large portion of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the military holding the main city, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.

The two warring rivals had been allies - coming to power together in a takeover in 2021 - but disagreed over an globally supported plan to advance to democratic governance.

Mikayla Guzman
Mikayla Guzman

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