More than 36,000 Sudanese people have fled following capture of El Fasher to paramilitary group, states UN agency
More than 36,000 people have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan territory east of Darfur since Saturday, according to the UN's migration agency.
The important central zone between the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine region has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the two-year civil war between the Sudanese military forces and the militia group.
Substantial Exodus Numbers
An calculated 36,825 people fled five localities in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The civilians, primarily walking, traveled to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently housing over 652,000 refugees.
Heightened Forces Deployment
Residents of North Kordofan on Monday noted a significant increase in both RSF and army presence across towns and villages throughout the state.
Both armed factions are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a important strategic and command hub that connects Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have assembled at the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently shared video message.
Local Citizens Report Protection Issues
A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the amount of RSF vehicles had grown considerably since the group's capture of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, afraid of clashes," the local explained.
Another inhabitant, who requested anonymity for protection purposes, also confirmed that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
World Concerns and Appeals
A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.
The representative alerted to patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.
The church leader on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire and the creation of aid passageways in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher and declared that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the armed faction.
The ambassador further encouraged the world nations to designate the group as a terrorist entity.
