At least 36,000 Sudanese citizens have escaped since takeover of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, says UN agency
In excess of 36,000 people have fled Sudan's Kordofan territory east of Darfur starting Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration organization.
The key central region connecting the country's Darfur areas and the Khartoum-Riverine area has during recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese army and the militia group.
Substantial Exodus Numbers
An estimated 36,825 people fled five areas in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The individuals, most on foot, headed to Tawila, a town west of El Fasher that is currently accommodating over 652,000 displaced people.
Increased Forces Deployment
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday reported a substantial rise in both RSF and army concentration across towns and villages throughout the state.
Both forces are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a critical supply 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 circulated video message.
Local Inhabitants Describe Safety Fears
A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the amount of RSF vehicles had risen considerably since the group's capture of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, concerned about clashes," the resident stated.
Another civilian, who requested anonymity for security reasons, also indicated that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.
Global Warnings and Requests
A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "extensive crimes" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.
The diplomat alerted to patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against non-Arab ethnic groups.
The church leader on Sunday appealed for an immediate ceasefire and the creation of relief routes in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and declared that the Sudanese government would not engage with the paramilitary group.
The representative further called on the global community to designate the group as a terrorist entity.
