At least 36,000 Sudanese people have fled since takeover of El Fasher to paramilitary group, says UN agency
More than 36,000 people have fled Sudan's Kordofan territory eastern sector of Darfur since Saturday, as stated by the UN's immigration body.
The strategic central area separating the country's Darfur regions and the capital region has over recent weeks become the latest battleground in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary forces.
Significant Evacuation Figures
An approximated 36,825 people fled five districts in North Kordofan province between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The individuals, most on foot, traveled to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently housing in excess of 652,000 displaced people.
Heightened Troop Concentration
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday reported a heavy surge in both RSF and army deployment across communities throughout the state.
Both military groups are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a key logistics and command hub that connects Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently shared video message.
Regional Residents Detail Protection Issues
A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the quantity of RSF vehicles had risen substantially since the group's seizure of El Fasher.
"We stopped going to our farms, fearing fighting," the local commented.
Another resident, who requested anonymity for protection purposes, also reported that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
World Alarms and Calls
A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnically motivated reprisals" by RSF in Bara.
The official alerted to patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The church leader on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and obstacles 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 discuss with the militia organization.
The diplomat further urged the global community to designate the group as a terrorist organisation.
