More than 60,000 Flee Sudan's City After Capture by RSF Militia, UN Reports
Per the United Nations refugee organization, more than 60,000 civilians have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was captured by the militia RSF recently.
Reports indicate multiple executions and crimes against humanity as militia members entered the city following an year-and-a-half blockade marked by famine and heavy bombardment.
The flow of those running from the fighting towards the community of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the recent days, as stated by UNHCR representative.
Refugees were describing shocking stories of violence, featuring sexual violence, and the agency was having trouble to locate sufficient housing and nourishment for them.
Each child was experiencing nutritional deficiencies, she noted.
Estimates suggest that in excess of 150,000 residents are presently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's remaining bastion in the western region of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has rejected broad allegations that the killings in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and resemble a practice of the Arab militia groups focusing on non-Arab communities.
However the paramilitary group has custodied one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with summary executions.
The force released footage depicting the fighter's apprehension after identification that he was involved in the execution of several civilians close to el-Fasher.
Video sharing service has acknowledged that it has suspended the account linked to Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had operated the profile in his name.
Sudan was thrown into a domestic fighting in April 2023 following a vicious contest for control began between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.
It has caused a famine and claims of genocide in the western Darfur region.
In excess of 150,000 persons have died in the conflict throughout the country, and approximately 12 million have abandoned their residences in what the United Nations has described as the biggest global humanitarian disaster.
The seizure of el-Fasher strengthens the geographic split in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of western Sudan and a large portion of adjacent Kordofan to the south, and the military occupying the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.
The opposing sides had been partners - taking over together in a coup in 2021 - but disagreed over an foreign-endorsed proposal to advance to civilian leadership.
