Over 60,000 Escape Sudanese City After Capture by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, United Nations States
As stated by the UNHCR, in excess of 60,000 individuals have left the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the paramilitary RSF during the weekend.
There have been mass executions and human rights violations as RSF fighters entered the city after an year-and-a-half siege characterized by food shortages and sustained attacks.
The movement of those running from the fighting towards the town of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the recent days, as stated by UNHCR representative.
Refugees were telling shocking stories of abuses, including sexual violence, and the humanitarian group was having trouble to locate adequate housing and food for them.
Every child was affected by nutritional deficiencies, she added.
It is estimated that over 150,000 individuals are currently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's remaining stronghold in the western part of Darfur.
The RSF has rejected extensive claims that the deaths in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and mirror a practice of the Arab fighters focusing on ethnic minorities.
Nevertheless the RSF has detained one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in on-the-spot executions.
The organization distributed video showing the member's detention after identification that he was behind the death of multiple civilians near el-Fasher.
Digital platform has confirmed that it has suspended the account linked to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had controlled the profile in his name.
Sudan was plunged into a internal conflict in April 2023 after a brutal struggle for power erupted between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.
It has caused a famine and allegations of mass killing in the Darfur area.
In excess of 150,000 people have lost their lives in the war throughout the country, and about 12 million have abandoned their residences in what the UN has called the biggest global humanitarian disaster.
The takeover of el-Fasher solidifies the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of Sudan's west and a large portion of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the military occupying the main city, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.
The two warring rivals had been partners - gaining control together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but disagreed over an foreign-endorsed plan to advance to democratic governance.