Over 36,000 Sudanese have evacuated following capture of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, states UN agency
In excess of 36,000 people have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan region east of Darfur beginning Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration organization.
The strategic central area between the country's Darfur areas and the Khartoum-Riverine area has over recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary forces.
Substantial Exodus Numbers
An estimated 36,825 people evacuated from five areas in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The people, mainly traveling by foot, traveled to Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently accommodating more than 652,000 refugees.
Escalated Forces Deployment
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday reported a heavy surge in both RSF and army concentration across towns and villages throughout the state.
Both armed factions are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a important strategic and command hub that links Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently circulated video message.
Area Inhabitants Report Protection Issues
A resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the quantity of RSF vehicles had grown considerably since the group's seizure of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, afraid of clashes," the individual explained.
Another resident, who requested anonymity for safety concerns, also indicated that "there has been a substantial growth 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 "large-scale atrocities" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.
The representative cautioned about patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.
The church leader on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, declaring that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's ambassador to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not engage with the paramilitary group.
The representative further called on the world nations to classify the group as a terrorist organisation.
