Over 36,000 Sudanese citizens have fled since takeover of El Fasher to paramilitary group, says UN agency
More than 36,000 people have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan area eastern sector of Darfur since Saturday, as stated by the UN's migration agency.
The key central region between the country's Darfur provinces and the Khartoum-Riverine area has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the extended civil war between the Sudanese military forces and the militia group.
Substantial Evacuation Numbers
An approximated 36,825 people fled five areas in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The civilians, primarily walking, traveled to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently accommodating over 652,000 displaced people.
Heightened Forces Deployment
Residents of North Kordofan on Monday noted a significant increase in both RSF and army presence across communities throughout the state.
Both forces are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a important strategic and command hub that connects Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have assembled at the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently distributed video declaration.
Regional Inhabitants Report Protection Issues
A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the quantity of RSF vehicles had grown considerably since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We stopped going to our farms, afraid of fighting," the local commented.
Another resident, who requested anonymity for protection purposes, also indicated that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
Global Warnings and Calls
A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnically motivated reprisals" by RSF in Bara.
The diplomat alerted to patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.
The religious leader on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's ambassador to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher and declared that the Sudanese government would not engage with the militia organization.
The diplomat further encouraged the world nations to categorize the group as a terrorist organisation.
