Over 36,000 Sudanese people have escaped since takeover of El Fasher to paramilitary group, says UN agency
In excess of 36,000 civilians have escaped Sudan's Kordofan area eastern part of Darfur starting Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration organization.
The key central region between the country's Darfur regions and the capital region has during recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary forces.
Substantial Displacement Statistics
An calculated 36,825 people fled five localities in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The people, most on foot, traveled to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently accommodating in excess of 652,000 refugees.
Escalated Forces Deployment
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday reported a heavy surge in both RSF and army presence across towns and villages throughout the state.
Both forces are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a important strategic and command hub that connects Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently distributed video statement.
Local Citizens Describe Protection Issues
A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the quantity of RSF vehicles had grown considerably since the group's seizure of El Fasher.
"We discontinued traveling to our farms, concerned about fighting," the local commented.
Another civilian, who requested anonymity for safety concerns, also confirmed that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
World Warnings and Calls
A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.
The official cautioned about patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.
The spiritual head on Sunday called for an prompt truce and the creation of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's ambassador to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not engage with the militia organization.
The representative further called on the international community to classify the group as a terrorist group.