In excess of 60,000 Run from Sudan's City In the wake of Seizure by RSF Paramilitary Group, United Nations Says

Displaced people fleeing violence in the region
Many seek to reach the town of Tawila but experience intimidation, demands for money and abuse from militiamen along the way

Per the UNHCR, more than 60,000 civilians have left the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was seized by the militia Rapid Support Forces during the weekend.

There have been summary killings and crimes against humanity as RSF fighters took control of the city following an extended encirclement marked by famine and intense shelling.

The exodus of those running from the fighting towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the past few days, as stated by UNHCR spokesperson.

Refugees were telling horrendous tales of abuses, featuring rape, and the organization was having trouble to locate enough shelter and supplies for them.

All children was experiencing undernourishment, she commented.

It is estimated that more than 150,000 people are currently unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the army's final fortress in the western part of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has disputed extensive claims that the killings in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and mirror a trend of the Arab militia groups targeting ethnic minorities.

Yet the RSF has arrested one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with on-the-spot executions.

The force distributed video revealing the fighter's detention after identification that he was responsible for the killing of numerous civilians in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Video sharing service has acknowledged that it has removed the channel linked to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had managed the account in his name.

Sudan was plunged into a civil war in April 2023 when a brutal contest for control began between its army and the RSF.

It has led to a starvation emergency and accusations of genocide in the western Sudan.

More than 150,000 persons have been killed in the war across the country, and roughly 12 million have abandoned their dwellings in what the United Nations has called the biggest global humanitarian emergency.

The capture of el-Fasher strengthens the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in command of the western region and significant areas of adjacent Kordofan to the south, and the military controlling the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the coastal region.

The opposing sides had been collaborators - taking over together in a takeover in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported proposal to transition to civilian leadership.

Katherine Long
Katherine Long

A seasoned watch enthusiast with over a decade of experience in horology, specializing in vintage and modern luxury timepieces.