At least 36,000 Sudanese citizens have evacuated following takeover of El Fasher to RSF, says UN agency
Over 36,000 civilians have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan area east of Darfur since Saturday, as stated by the UN's migration agency.
The key central region separating the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine region has over recent weeks become the latest battleground in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and the militia group.
Massive Exodus Figures
An approximated 36,825 people evacuated from five localities in North Kordofan province between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The people, most on foot, headed to Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently accommodating more than 652,000 refugees.
Heightened Military Presence
Residents of North Kordofan on Monday reported a heavy surge in both RSF and army presence across urban and rural areas throughout the state.
Both forces are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a critical supply and command base that links Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently circulated video statement.
Area Inhabitants Report Protection Issues
A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the number of RSF vehicles had increased considerably since the group's capture of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, concerned about confrontations," the individual explained.
Another civilian, 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 Calls
A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "extensive crimes" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.
The official cautioned about patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.
The church leader on Sunday called for an quick cessation of hostilities and the creation of aid passageways in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's ambassador to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the militia organization.
The representative further encouraged the global community to designate the group as a terrorist organisation.
