More than 60,000 Escape Sudanese City Following Seizure by RSF Militia, United Nations Reports

Refugees fleeing conflict in Sudan
Many seek to get to the town of Tawila but experience intimidation, extortion and mistreatment from fighters during their journey

Per the UN refugee agency, more than 60,000 individuals have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was seized by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces over the weekend.

Reports indicate multiple executions and crimes against humanity as RSF fighters took control of the city after an extended encirclement marked by famine and sustained attacks.

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

They were telling shocking tales of abuses, such as rape, and the organization was struggling to secure enough housing and food for them.

Each child was affected by undernourishment, she commented.

Estimates suggest that more than 150,000 individuals are currently unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the army's last fortress in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has denied widespread claims that the killings in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and resemble a trend of the Arab fighters attacking non-Arab populations.

Nevertheless the RSF has detained one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of extrajudicial killings.

The organization shared footage showing the member's arrest subsequent to verification that he was behind the killing of multiple non-combatants in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Video sharing service has confirmed that it has suspended the account associated with Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had controlled the account in his identity.

Sudan was entered a internal conflict in April 2023 following a intense power struggle began between its army and the RSF.

This has led to a famine and claims of genocide in the western Sudan.

In excess of 150,000 persons have been killed in the fighting around the country, and about 12 million have abandoned their dwellings in what the United Nations has called the most extensive humanitarian crisis.

The seizure of el-Fasher solidifies the territorial division in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of Sudan's west and a large portion of adjacent Kordofan to the south, and the army occupying the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the coastal region.

The two warring rivals had been allies - coming to power together in a takeover in 2021 - but fell out over an foreign-endorsed initiative to transition to civilian rule.

Ashley Wright
Ashley Wright

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