More than 60,000 Escape Sudan's City Following Takeover by Rapid Support Forces Militia, UN Reports
According to the United Nations refugee organization, more than 60,000 people have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces recently.
There have been multiple executions and crimes against humanity as paramilitary forces entered the city after an 18-month blockade featuring food shortages and sustained attacks.
The exodus of those escaping the fighting towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the recent days, as stated by UNHCR representative.
Refugees were describing horrendous accounts of violence, including rape, and the organization was struggling to locate adequate accommodation and supplies for them.
All children was affected by malnutrition, she added.
It is estimated that in excess of 150,000 people are presently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the army's remaining fortress in the western region of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has disputed widespread accusations that the killings in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and mirror a pattern of the Arab paramilitaries focusing on non-Arab populations.
Nevertheless the RSF has detained one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with summary executions.
The group shared recordings showing the militiaman's apprehension after confirmation that he was behind the execution of several unarmed men close to el-Fasher.
Video sharing service has confirmed that it has banned the account linked to Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had controlled the profile in his name.
Sudan was plunged into a domestic fighting in April 2023 following a intense power struggle began between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.
This has resulted in a starvation emergency and claims of genocide in the Darfur area.
Over 150,000 people have died in the conflict across the country, and about 12 million have fled their dwellings in what the UN has termed the most extensive humanitarian emergency.
The takeover of el-Fasher solidifies the territorial division in the country, with the RSF now in control of western Sudan and a large portion of neighbouring Kordofan to the southern area, and the military occupying 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 split over an globally supported proposal to advance to democratic governance.
