Over 60,000 Run from Sudan's City After Capture by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, United Nations Reports
Per the UNHCR, more than 60,000 people have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was captured by the militia Rapid Support Forces during the weekend.
Reports indicate summary killings and crimes against humanity as RSF fighters stormed the city after an extended siege marked by starvation and intense shelling.
The movement of those fleeing the fighting towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, according to United Nations refugee agency representative.
Refugees were narrating horrendous stories of abuses, including rape, and the agency was having trouble to find adequate shelter and food for them.
All children was suffering from malnutrition, she noted.
Estimates suggest that in excess of 150,000 people are still trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the army's final fortress in the western part of Darfur.
The RSF has disputed extensive claims that the executions in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and resemble a practice of the Arab fighters targeting non-Arab communities.
Nevertheless the paramilitary group has detained one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with extrajudicial killings.
The force shared footage revealing the militiaman's arrest subsequent to verification that he was behind the execution of several civilians near el-Fasher.
Video sharing service has verified that it has removed the channel connected to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had controlled the profile in his name.
Sudan was entered a domestic fighting in April 2023 following a intense contest for control broke out between its army and the RSF.
The conflict has caused a famine and allegations of genocide in the western Darfur region.
In excess of 150,000 persons have died in the war across the country, and approximately 12 million have left their homes in what the United Nations has called the biggest global humanitarian emergency.
The seizure of el-Fasher strengthens the regional separation in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in dominance of Sudan's west and a large portion of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the army controlling the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.
The opposing sides had been collaborators - taking over together in a coup in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported proposal to move towards civilian rule.