Over 60,000 Run from Sudan's City In the wake of Capture by RSF Militia, UN Reports

Refugees fleeing violence in Sudan
Numerous are trying to reach the settlement of Tawila but encounter intimidation, demands for money and mistreatment from armed men along the way

Per the United Nations refugee organization, over 60,000 civilians have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the militia Rapid Support Forces over the weekend.

Accounts suggest multiple executions and atrocities as militia members entered the city following an year-and-a-half siege characterized by famine and heavy bombardment.

The exodus of those fleeing the conflict towards the town of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the recent days, as stated by United Nations refugee agency representative.

Refugees were describing horrendous accounts of violence, such as sexual violence, and the humanitarian group was finding it difficult to secure sufficient accommodation and food for them.

All children was experiencing nutritional deficiencies, she noted.

Calculations indicate that over 150,000 residents are currently unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the army's final stronghold in the western part of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has denied broad claims that the deaths in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and follow a trend of the Arab paramilitaries targeting ethnic minorities.

Nevertheless the RSF has detained one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with extrajudicial killings.

The group distributed recordings depicting the militiaman's detention subsequent to confirmation that he was involved in the killing of numerous non-combatants in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Video sharing service has confirmed that it has suspended the profile connected to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had controlled the profile in his identity.

Sudan was thrown into a domestic fighting in April 2023 when a brutal struggle for power began between its military and the RSF.

It has led to a food crisis and claims of genocide in the western Sudan.

Over 150,000 individuals have lost their lives in the conflict around the country, and approximately 12 million have abandoned their residences in what the UN has termed the biggest global humanitarian disaster.

The takeover of el-Fasher solidifies the territorial division in the country, with the RSF now in control of the western region and a large portion of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the military holding the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the coastal region.

The opposing sides had been collaborators - coming to power together in a takeover in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported plan to advance to civilian rule.

Eric Vazquez
Eric Vazquez

Elara is a passionate writer and tech enthusiast with over a decade of experience in digital content creation and storytelling.