Over 36,000 Sudanese citizens have fled after takeover of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, reports UN agency
More than 36,000 people have fled Sudan's Kordofan region eastern part of Darfur beginning Saturday, according to the UN's migration organization.
The strategic central area connecting the country's Darfur areas and the capital region has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the extended civil war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary forces.
Massive Displacement Figures
An estimated 36,825 people fled five localities in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The individuals, most on foot, headed to Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently accommodating in excess of 652,000 refugees.
Escalated Forces Deployment
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday noted a heavy surge in both RSF and army deployment across communities throughout the state.
Both military groups are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a critical supply and command hub that links Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have assembled at the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently distributed video declaration.
Local Residents Detail Protection Issues
A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the amount of RSF vehicles had grown significantly since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We stopped going to our farms, afraid of fighting," the resident explained.
Another inhabitant, who requested anonymity for protection purposes, also reported that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
Global Alarms and Appeals
A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.
The diplomat warned of patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF militants have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The church leader on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the armed faction.
The diplomat further urged the international community to categorize the group as a terrorist entity.