In excess of 60,000 Flee Sudan's City Following Seizure by RSF Militia, United Nations States
As stated by the UNHCR, in excess of 60,000 individuals have escaped the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the militia Rapid Support Forces over the weekend.
Accounts suggest mass executions and crimes against humanity as militia members entered the city after an year-and-a-half blockade marked by starvation and sustained attacks.
The movement of those escaping the violence towards the town of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the last several days, according to UNHCR spokesperson.
Survivors were telling shocking tales of abuses, featuring rape, and the organization was having trouble to secure enough shelter and supplies for them.
Every child was affected by malnutrition, she commented.
Estimates suggest that over 150,000 individuals are currently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the military's final stronghold in the western region of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has disputed extensive allegations that the killings in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and mirror a trend of the Arab militia groups attacking non-Arab populations.
Nevertheless the paramilitary group has custodied one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of extrajudicial killings.
The organization released video revealing the militiaman's detention after identification that he was behind the killing of multiple civilians near el-Fasher.
Social media platform has confirmed that it has banned the profile associated with Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had operated the profile in his identity.
Sudan was plunged into a domestic fighting in April 2023 after a intense struggle for power erupted between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.
This has led to a starvation emergency and accusations of genocide in the Darfur area.
More than 150,000 individuals have lost their lives in the conflict across the country, and about 12 million have left their residences in what the United Nations has described as 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 neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the army holding the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.
The two warring rivals had been allies - taking over together in a coup in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported plan to advance to democratic governance.