Over 60,000 Escape Sudanese City After Seizure by Rapid Support Forces Militia, United Nations States

Refugees escaping violence in the region
Many are attempting to reach the settlement of Tawila but experience harassment, extortion and abuse from militiamen during their journey

As stated by the UN refugee agency, over 60,000 civilians have escaped the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary RSF recently.

Reports indicate multiple executions and human rights violations as RSF fighters stormed the city after an 18-month blockade marked by starvation and intense shelling.

The exodus of those escaping the conflict towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the past few days, as stated by United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.

They were telling horrendous accounts of atrocities, including sexual violence, and the humanitarian group was finding it difficult to secure adequate housing and food for them.

Each child was suffering from nutritional deficiencies, she noted.

Estimates suggest that more than 150,000 people are still unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the military's remaining fortress in the western region of Darfur.

The RSF has disputed broad claims that the executions in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and follow a pattern of the Arab militia groups focusing on non-Arab populations.

However the RSF has detained one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of summary executions.

The force released footage depicting the fighter's apprehension after verification that he was responsible for the killing of numerous non-combatants near el-Fasher.

Digital platform has confirmed that it has suspended the channel associated with Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had operated the profile in his name.

Sudan was plunged into a internal conflict in April 2023 after a vicious power struggle began between its military and the Rapid Support Forces.

The conflict has led to a food crisis and accusations of ethnic cleansing in the western Darfur region.

In excess of 150,000 people have been killed in the conflict around the country, and about 12 million have fled their dwellings in what the UN has termed the biggest global humanitarian crisis.

The seizure of el-Fasher strengthens the geographic split in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in control of the western region and significant areas of adjacent Kordofan to the south, and the army holding the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the coastal region.

The opposing sides had been allies - gaining control together in a coup in 2021 - but fell out over an foreign-endorsed plan to move towards democratic governance.

Tara Stevens DVM
Tara Stevens DVM

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