Over 36,000 Sudanese have evacuated after fall of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, states UN agency
Over 36,000 people have escaped Sudan's Kordofan area east of Darfur beginning Saturday, as stated by the UN's migration agency.
The strategic central area connecting the country's Darfur areas and the capital region has in recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary forces.
Significant Exodus Numbers
An approximated 36,825 people fled five localities in North Kordofan province between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The individuals, mainly traveling by foot, moved toward Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently housing in excess of 652,000 displaced people.
Escalated Military Presence
Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday reported a significant increase in both RSF and army concentration across towns and villages throughout the state.
Both military groups are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a key logistics and command hub that links Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently shared video statement.
Regional Inhabitants Detail Protection Issues
A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the amount of RSF vehicles had increased considerably since the group's seizure of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, fearing fighting," the individual explained.
Another inhabitant, who sought confidentiality for protection purposes, also indicated that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
Global Concerns and Calls
A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.
The diplomat cautioned about patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF militants have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The spiritual head on Sunday urged an quick cessation of hostilities and the opening of aid passageways in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher and declared that the Sudanese government would not engage with the paramilitary group.
The representative further encouraged the international community to classify the group as a terrorist group.