More than 36,000 Sudanese people have evacuated since takeover of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, states UN agency
In excess of 36,000 individuals have fled Sudan's Kordofan area eastern part of Darfur beginning Saturday, according to the UN's migration agency.
The strategic central area separating the country's Darfur provinces and the Khartoum-Riverine region has in recent weeks become the latest battleground in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary forces.
Substantial Displacement Statistics
An approximated 36,825 people escaped five areas in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, per data from the International Organization for Migration.
The civilians, mainly traveling by foot, traveled to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently housing over 652,000 refugees.
Heightened Forces Deployment
Residents of North Kordofan on Monday reported a substantial rise in both RSF and army presence across towns and villages throughout the state.
Both forces are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a critical supply and command base that joins Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently circulated video declaration.
Local Citizens Detail Protection Issues
A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the number of RSF vehicles had risen substantially since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, fearing fighting," the local explained.
Another inhabitant, who requested anonymity for protection purposes, also reported that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
International Warnings and Appeals
A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.
The representative cautioned about patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The church leader on Sunday called for an prompt truce and the establishment of aid passageways in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the armed faction.
The diplomat further called on the international community to classify the group as a terrorist group.
