Over 36,000 Sudanese people have fled following capture of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, states UN agency

More than 36,000 civilians have escaped Sudan's Kordofan territory east of Darfur beginning Saturday, as stated by the UN's migration agency.

The important central zone connecting the country's Darfur areas and the Khartoum-Riverine area has during recent weeks become the latest battleground in the extended civil war between the Sudanese army and the militia group.

Significant Evacuation Numbers

An estimated 36,825 people escaped five districts in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, per data from the International Organization for Migration.

The civilians, mainly traveling by foot, headed to Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently sheltering in excess of 652,000 displaced people.

Escalated Troop Concentration

Residents of North Kordofan on Monday described a substantial rise in both RSF and army presence across towns and villages throughout the state.

Both military groups are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a key logistics and command center that joins Darfur to Khartoum.

"Today, all our forces have assembled at the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently shared video declaration.

Area Residents Describe Security Concerns

A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the number of RSF vehicles had grown considerably since the group's seizure of El Fasher.

"We stopped going to our farms, concerned about fighting," the local explained.

Another resident, who sought confidentiality for security reasons, also indicated that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.

Global Concerns and Requests

A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "extensive crimes" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.

The representative alerted to patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.

The religious leader on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the paramilitary group.

The ambassador further urged the global community to categorize the group as a terrorist group.

Sarah Oliver
Sarah Oliver

A passionate film critic with over a decade of experience, specializing in indie and blockbuster cinema.