Over 36,000 Sudanese have evacuated following capture of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, says UN agency
More than 36,000 civilians have fled Sudan's Kordofan region eastern part of Darfur starting Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration agency.
The key central region between the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine area has during recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese army and the militia group.
Massive Displacement Figures
An approximated 36,825 people escaped five localities in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The civilians, most on foot, moved toward Tawila, a town west of El Fasher that is currently accommodating in excess of 652,000 displaced people.
Escalated Forces Deployment
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday reported a substantial rise in both RSF and army deployment across communities throughout the state.
Both military groups are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a critical supply and command center that joins Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently circulated video declaration.
Regional Citizens Describe Protection Issues
A resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the number of RSF vehicles had increased significantly since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We discontinued traveling to our farms, fearing fighting," the local explained.
Another civilian, who asked to remain unnamed for safety concerns, also reported that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the previous fortnight.
Global Alarms and Requests
A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnically motivated reprisals" by RSF in Bara.
The diplomat cautioned about patterns comparable to patterns in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against non-Arab ethnic groups.
The religious leader on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of aid passageways in Sudan, declaring that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's ambassador to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not engage with the paramilitary group.
The ambassador further encouraged the world nations to designate the group as a terrorist group.