At least 36,000 Sudanese people have evacuated following fall of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, says UN agency
In excess of 36,000 individuals have fled Sudan's Kordofan area eastern sector of Darfur since Saturday, as reported by the UN's immigration body.
The strategic central area connecting the country's Darfur areas and the Khartoum-Riverine region has over recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary forces.
Substantial Displacement Figures
An approximated 36,825 people fled five districts in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The people, most on foot, traveled to Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently housing in excess of 652,000 displaced people.
Escalated Troop Concentration
Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday reported a substantial rise in both RSF and army deployment across towns and villages throughout the state.
Both military groups are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a critical supply and command base that joins Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," said an RSF member in a recently circulated video declaration.
Area Citizens Detail Security Concerns
A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the quantity of RSF vehicles had increased considerably since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, concerned about clashes," the resident commented.
Another civilian, who requested anonymity for security reasons, also indicated that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.
Global Concerns and Calls
A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "large-scale atrocities" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.
The representative warned of patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The spiritual head on Sunday appealed for an quick cessation of hostilities and the opening of relief routes in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the armed faction.
The representative further called on the global community to categorize the group as a terrorist group.
