Over 36,000 Sudanese have evacuated after fall of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, states UN agency
More than 36,000 individuals have escaped Sudan's Kordofan region eastern sector of Darfur starting Saturday, according to the UN's migration agency.
The strategic central area between the country's Darfur regions and the capital region has during recent weeks become the latest battleground in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary forces.
Massive Evacuation Statistics
An approximated 36,825 people fled five areas in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, per data from the International Organization for Migration.
The civilians, primarily walking, moved toward Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently housing in excess of 652,000 displaced people.
Escalated Forces Deployment
Residents of North Kordofan on Monday noted a significant increase in both RSF and army deployment across urban and rural areas throughout the state.
Both military groups are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a important strategic 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 circulated video message.
Local Inhabitants Report Safety Fears
A resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the quantity of RSF vehicles had grown significantly since the group's capture of El Fasher.
"We discontinued traveling to our farms, afraid of confrontations," the resident stated.
Another resident, who asked to remain unnamed 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.
International Concerns and Appeals
A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.
The diplomat alerted to patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.
The spiritual head on Sunday urged an quick cessation of hostilities and the establishment of aid passageways in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher and declared that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the paramilitary group.
The representative further called on the global community to designate the group as a terrorist entity.