In excess of 60,000 Escape Sudanese City Following Capture by RSF Militia, UN Says
According to the United Nations refugee organization, in excess of 60,000 civilians have escaped the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was captured by the militia Rapid Support Forces during the weekend.
Reports indicate mass executions and atrocities as militia members took control of the city following an 18-month encirclement marked by starvation and sustained attacks.
The movement of those escaping the violence towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the last several days, as stated by UNHCR representative.
Survivors were describing horrendous tales of atrocities, featuring rape, and the organization was finding it difficult to find sufficient accommodation and food for them.
Every child was experiencing undernourishment, she commented.
It is estimated that over 150,000 residents are currently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the military's final stronghold in the western region of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has disputed broad accusations that the killings in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and mirror a practice of the Arab militia groups attacking ethnic minorities.
Yet the RSF has detained one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of summary executions.
The force released video revealing the member's detention after identification that he was behind the killing of multiple non-combatants near el-Fasher.
Video sharing service has verified that it has suspended the account connected to Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had controlled the account in his name.
Sudan was entered a internal conflict in April 2023 following a brutal contest for control broke out between its army and the RSF.
This has led to a starvation emergency and claims of genocide in the western Sudan.
In excess of 150,000 persons have lost their lives in the war around the country, and approximately 12 million have left their dwellings in what the United Nations has termed the biggest global humanitarian emergency.
The capture of el-Fasher solidifies the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in control of western Sudan and significant areas of neighbouring Kordofan to the southern area, and the military controlling the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the coastal region.
The opposing sides had been collaborators - coming to power together in a coup in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported initiative to advance to democratic governance.
