In excess of 60,000 Flee Sudanese City After Takeover by RSF Militia, UN Says
According to the UN refugee agency, in excess of 60,000 civilians have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was seized by the militia RSF recently.
There have been summary killings and human rights violations as RSF fighters stormed the city following an 18-month encirclement characterized by famine and heavy bombardment.
The flow of those escaping the conflict towards the town of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the last several days, as stated by UNHCR representative.
Refugees were telling shocking tales of violence, featuring rape, and the humanitarian group was having trouble to secure enough housing and supplies for them.
Every child was experiencing malnutrition, she noted.
It is estimated that over 150,000 residents are currently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the military's final bastion in the western region of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has denied extensive allegations that the killings in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and follow a pattern of the Arab militia groups targeting non-Arab communities.
Nevertheless the RSF has custodied one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of on-the-spot executions.
The organization shared footage showing the militiaman's apprehension following identification that he was behind the execution of several civilians close to el-Fasher.
Video sharing service has confirmed that it has banned the channel associated with Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had controlled the profile in his name.
Sudan was thrown into a civil war in April 2023 after a brutal struggle for power erupted between its military and the RSF.
The conflict has caused a starvation emergency and accusations of genocide in the western Darfur region.
In excess of 150,000 individuals have lost their lives in the fighting throughout the country, and roughly 12 million have abandoned their homes in what the UN has described as the world's largest humanitarian crisis.
The capture of el-Fasher strengthens the territorial division in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in command of Sudan's west and significant areas of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the military controlling the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.
The opposing sides had been partners - coming to power together in a takeover in 2021 - but disagreed over an internationally backed plan to advance to civilian leadership.
