At least 36,000 Sudanese people have fled after takeover of El Fasher to paramilitary group, states UN agency
Over 36,000 individuals have escaped Sudan's Kordofan territory eastern sector of Darfur beginning Saturday, as reported by the UN's immigration body.
The important central zone connecting the country's Darfur areas and the Khartoum-Riverine region has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the two-year civil war between the Sudanese military forces and the militia group.
Substantial Evacuation Numbers
An approximated 36,825 people escaped five districts in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, per data from the International Organization for Migration.
The civilians, most on foot, moved toward Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently sheltering more than 652,000 refugees.
Increased Military Presence
Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday reported a significant increase in both RSF and army presence across urban and rural areas throughout the state.
Both forces are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a key logistics and command center 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.
Area Inhabitants Detail Safety Fears
A resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the quantity of RSF vehicles had risen considerably since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We discontinued traveling to our farms, concerned about confrontations," the individual commented.
Another resident, who requested anonymity for safety concerns, also reported that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.
World Concerns and Requests
A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "extensive crimes" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.
The official warned of patterns comparable to patterns in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The church leader on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's ambassador to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and declared that the Sudanese government would not engage with the armed faction.
The representative further urged the international community to classify the group as a terrorist group.