More than 60,000 Run from Sudan's City In the wake of Capture by Rapid Support Forces Militia, United Nations States

Refugees escaping conflict in the region
Numerous are trying to get to the settlement of Tawila but encounter harassment, demands for money and mistreatment from militiamen along the way

As stated by the United Nations refugee organization, in excess of 60,000 individuals have escaped the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the paramilitary RSF over the weekend.

Reports indicate summary killings and crimes against humanity as paramilitary forces entered the city after an year-and-a-half siege characterized by food shortages and heavy bombardment.

The flow of those running from the conflict towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had grown in the last several days, according to UNHCR spokesperson.

Refugees were describing terrible stories of atrocities, featuring sexual violence, and the agency was struggling to find enough housing and supplies for them.

All children was affected by undernourishment, she added.

It is estimated that more than 150,000 people are still stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's last stronghold in the western region of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has denied extensive accusations that the deaths in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and mirror a trend of the Arab fighters attacking non-Arab communities.

However the paramilitary group has custodied one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with on-the-spot executions.

The organization released footage showing the militiaman's apprehension after identification that he was responsible for the killing of several unarmed men in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Video sharing service has verified that it has suspended the account linked to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had operated the account in his name.

Sudan was plunged into a domestic fighting in April 2023 when a vicious struggle for power erupted between its military and the Rapid Support Forces.

This has resulted in a famine and accusations of ethnic cleansing in the Darfur area.

Over 150,000 individuals have died in the fighting around the country, and approximately 12 million have left their dwellings in what the United Nations has described as the world's largest humanitarian disaster.

The takeover of el-Fasher strengthens the territorial division in the country, with the RSF now in control of western Sudan and much of adjacent Kordofan to the south, and the army holding the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the coastal region.

The competing factions had been partners - gaining control together in a coup in 2021 - but disagreed over an foreign-endorsed plan to transition to civilian rule.

Amanda Schmitt
Amanda Schmitt

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