More than 60,000 Flee Sudan's City In the wake of Seizure by RSF Militia, United Nations Says
As stated by the UN refugee agency, more than 60,000 people have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the militia RSF recently.
There have been multiple executions and crimes against humanity as RSF fighters stormed the city following an 18-month blockade marked by food shortages and heavy bombardment.
The exodus of those escaping the conflict towards the town of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the last several days, per United Nations refugee agency representative.
Survivors were describing shocking accounts of abuses, featuring sexual violence, and the organization was finding it difficult to secure enough housing and supplies for them.
Each child was experiencing malnutrition, she noted.
It is estimated that in excess of 150,000 individuals are presently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the military's final fortress in the western region of Darfur.
The RSF has rejected extensive accusations that the executions in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and mirror a pattern of the Arab fighters focusing on ethnic minorities.
However the paramilitary group has arrested one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with on-the-spot executions.
The organization released video depicting the fighter's apprehension subsequent to identification that he was behind the killing of multiple civilians near el-Fasher.
Digital platform has verified that it has removed the profile linked to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had controlled the account in his name.
Sudan was plunged into a domestic fighting in April 2023 after a intense struggle for power began between its army and the RSF.
This has led to a famine and allegations of mass killing in the Darfur area.
More than 150,000 persons have died in the conflict around the country, and approximately 12 million have abandoned their residences in what the United Nations has called the biggest global humanitarian disaster.
The takeover of el-Fasher strengthens the territorial division in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in control of western Sudan and a large portion of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the military occupying the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the Red Sea.
The two warring rivals had been collaborators - taking over together in a takeover in 2021 - but fell out over an internationally backed proposal to advance to civilian leadership.