At least 36,000 Sudanese have evacuated following fall of El Fasher to RSF, states UN agency
Over 36,000 people have fled Sudan's Kordofan region eastern sector of Darfur starting Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration organization.
The strategic central area connecting the country's Darfur areas and the Khartoum-Riverine region has during recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the two-year civil war between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary forces.
Significant Displacement Statistics
An estimated 36,825 people fled five areas in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The individuals, mainly traveling by foot, headed to Tawila, a town west of El Fasher that is currently housing over 652,000 refugees.
Heightened Forces Deployment
Residents of North Kordofan on Monday described a significant increase in both RSF and army presence across communities throughout the state.
Both military groups are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a important strategic 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.
Regional Inhabitants Detail Safety Fears
A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the number of RSF vehicles had increased substantially since the group's seizure of El Fasher.
"We discontinued traveling to our farms, fearing fighting," the individual commented.
Another civilian, who asked to remain unnamed for safety concerns, also reported that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.
World Warnings and Appeals
A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "widespread abuses" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.
The diplomat alerted to patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF militants have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.
The church leader on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the militia organization.
The representative further urged the international community to categorize the group as a terrorist group.
