More than 60,000 Run from Sudanese City Following Capture by RSF Paramilitary Group, United Nations Says

Refugees escaping violence in Sudan
Numerous are attempting to get to the settlement of Tawila but experience intimidation, demands for money and abuse from armed men along the way

Per the United Nations refugee organization, more than 60,000 civilians have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the militia Rapid Support Forces recently.

Accounts suggest summary killings and human rights violations as paramilitary forces stormed the city following an extended encirclement marked by food shortages and sustained attacks.

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

Refugees were narrating shocking tales of atrocities, featuring sexual violence, and the humanitarian group was having trouble to locate sufficient shelter and supplies for them.

Each child was affected by nutritional deficiencies, she noted.

Calculations indicate that more than 150,000 residents are presently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the military's final stronghold in the western part of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has disputed extensive allegations that the killings in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and follow a pattern of the Arab paramilitaries targeting ethnic minorities.

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

The force released footage depicting the member's detention after verification that he was behind the killing of several civilians near el-Fasher.

Digital platform has acknowledged that it has banned the account associated with Lulu. It is not clear whether he had managed the profile in his name.

Sudan was plunged into a civil war in April 2023 when a intense contest for control erupted between its military and the RSF.

This has resulted in a starvation emergency and allegations of genocide in the western Darfur region.

Over 150,000 persons have died in the fighting across the country, and roughly 12 million have fled their dwellings in what the United Nations has termed the biggest global humanitarian disaster.

The seizure of el-Fasher reinforces the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of western Sudan and much of adjacent Kordofan to the south, and the military occupying the main city, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.

The competing factions had been allies - taking over together in a takeover in 2021 - but disagreed over an internationally backed plan to advance to democratic governance.

William Berry
William Berry

Digital strategist with 15+ years in tech innovation, focusing on AI integration and sustainable business models across global markets.