In excess of 60,000 Flee Sudan's City After Capture by RSF Paramilitary Group, UN Reports

Displaced people fleeing conflict in the region
Many are attempting to reach the settlement of Tawila but encounter intimidation, demands for money and mistreatment from militiamen during their journey

Per the United Nations refugee organization, in excess of 60,000 civilians have escaped the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the militia RSF recently.

Reports indicate mass executions and crimes against humanity as RSF fighters entered the city following an extended blockade featuring starvation and sustained attacks.

The movement of those running from the conflict towards the town of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, according to UNHCR representative.

Survivors were narrating terrible stories of atrocities, such as rape, and the humanitarian group was finding it difficult to secure enough housing and food for them.

All children was experiencing nutritional deficiencies, she noted.

Calculations indicate that in excess of 150,000 residents are still stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's last fortress in the western part of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has denied widespread accusations that the executions in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and follow a trend of the Arab paramilitaries focusing on ethnic minorities.

Nevertheless the paramilitary group has arrested one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with extrajudicial killings.

The group shared footage showing the fighter's detention subsequent to identification that he was behind the execution of several unarmed men close to el-Fasher.

Social media platform has confirmed that it has banned the channel associated with Lulu. It is not clear whether he had operated the profile in his name.

Sudan was thrown into a internal conflict in April 2023 when a intense struggle for power began between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.

This has resulted in a starvation emergency and allegations of ethnic cleansing in the western Darfur region.

In excess of 150,000 individuals have died in the fighting throughout the country, and roughly 12 million have left their homes in what the United Nations has described as the world's largest humanitarian emergency.

The capture of el-Fasher strengthens the geographic split in the country, with the RSF now in command of the western region and much of adjacent Kordofan to the south, and the military occupying the main city, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.

The two warring rivals had been allies - gaining control together in a coup in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported initiative to advance to civilian leadership.

Anthony Nguyen
Anthony Nguyen

Elara is a seasoned luxury travel writer with a passion for uncovering hidden gems and sharing exclusive lifestyle insights.