In excess of 60,000 Flee Sudanese City In the wake of Capture by Rapid Support Forces Militia, United Nations Says
Per the UNHCR, over 60,000 individuals have escaped the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was captured by the militia RSF during the weekend.
Reports indicate summary killings and human rights violations as RSF fighters entered the city following an year-and-a-half encirclement characterized by starvation and heavy bombardment.
The movement of those running from the violence towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had grown in the recent days, per United Nations refugee agency representative.
Refugees were describing shocking stories of atrocities, such as rape, and the agency was finding it difficult to secure adequate shelter and supplies for them.
Every child was affected by malnutrition, she noted.
It is estimated that in excess of 150,000 individuals are still unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the army's final stronghold in the western part of Darfur.
The RSF has disputed widespread claims that the executions in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and resemble a pattern of the Arab paramilitaries targeting ethnic minorities.
However the paramilitary group has arrested one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of on-the-spot executions.
The group shared recordings depicting the fighter's arrest following identification that he was behind the death of several non-combatants close to el-Fasher.
Social media platform has verified that it has removed the profile connected to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had operated the account in his name.
Sudan was entered a domestic fighting in April 2023 following a intense struggle for power erupted between its military and the RSF.
It has led to a starvation emergency and claims of mass killing in the western Darfur region.
More than 150,000 people have been killed in the conflict across the country, and roughly 12 million have abandoned their residences in what the United Nations has called the most extensive humanitarian disaster.
The capture of el-Fasher strengthens the territorial division in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in control of Sudan's west and a large portion of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the military occupying the main city, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.
The competing factions had been allies - gaining control together in a takeover in 2021 - but disagreed over an foreign-endorsed proposal to move towards civilian leadership.
