Over 60,000 Flee Sudanese City Following Seizure by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, United Nations States
According to the UNHCR, more than 60,000 people have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the militia RSF during the weekend.
There have been summary killings and atrocities as paramilitary forces took control of the city following an extended encirclement featuring food shortages and intense shelling.
The movement of those escaping the violence towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, according to UNHCR spokesperson.
Refugees were telling shocking tales of atrocities, including rape, and the organization was having trouble to secure adequate shelter and supplies for them.
Each child was experiencing undernourishment, she commented.
Calculations indicate that in excess of 150,000 residents are currently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's final stronghold in the western region of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has disputed broad allegations that the executions in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and mirror a practice of the Arab fighters attacking ethnic minorities.
Yet the paramilitary group has arrested one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with on-the-spot executions.
The force distributed video showing the fighter's detention subsequent to confirmation that he was involved in the death of multiple civilians near el-Fasher.
Digital platform has confirmed that it has suspended the profile connected to Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had operated the account in his name.
Sudan was thrown into a domestic fighting in April 2023 when a brutal struggle for power erupted between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.
It has resulted in a food crisis and accusations of mass killing in the western Sudan.
In excess of 150,000 persons have died in the conflict around the country, and approximately 12 million have abandoned their residences in what the UN has described as the biggest global humanitarian emergency.
The capture of el-Fasher reinforces the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in command of the western region and a large portion of neighbouring Kordofan to the southern area, and the army holding the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.
The two warring rivals had been collaborators - taking over together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but fell out over an internationally backed plan to transition to democratic governance.