More than 60,000 Escape Sudanese City Following Seizure by RSF Militia, United Nations Reports
Per the UNHCR, over 60,000 people have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary RSF over the weekend.
There have been summary killings and atrocities as militia members stormed the city after an 18-month blockade marked by famine and heavy bombardment.
The exodus of those running from the fighting towards the community of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the recent days, according to UNHCR spokesperson.
They were telling shocking accounts of atrocities, including rape, and the humanitarian group was struggling to secure sufficient accommodation and nourishment for them.
All children was experiencing malnutrition, she commented.
Estimates suggest that over 150,000 individuals are presently unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the military's final stronghold in the western region of Darfur.
The RSF has disputed broad claims that the executions in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and resemble a trend of the Arab fighters attacking non-Arab populations.
Nevertheless the RSF has detained one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with on-the-spot executions.
The group released footage depicting the fighter's arrest following identification that he was involved in the execution of numerous non-combatants in the vicinity of el-Fasher.
Social media platform has verified that it has removed the account connected to Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had managed the account in his identity.
Sudan was entered a internal conflict in April 2023 when a intense struggle for power began between its army and the RSF.
This has caused a food crisis and claims of genocide in the Darfur area.
In excess of 150,000 persons have been killed in the war around the country, and about 12 million have abandoned their residences in what the UN has called the biggest global humanitarian crisis.
The capture of el-Fasher solidifies the regional separation in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in dominance of Sudan's west and significant areas of neighbouring Kordofan to the southern area, and the army holding the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the Red Sea.
The two warring rivals had been partners - gaining control together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but disagreed over an globally supported initiative to move towards civilian leadership.
