Over 36,000 Sudanese people have escaped since takeover of El Fasher to RSF, says UN agency
In excess of 36,000 people have fled Sudan's Kordofan region east of Darfur starting Saturday, according to the UN's migration organization.
The key central region between the country's Darfur regions 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 group.
Substantial Displacement Figures
An approximated 36,825 people fled five localities in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The civilians, primarily walking, moved toward Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently accommodating in excess of 652,000 refugees.
Escalated Troop Concentration
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday described a heavy surge in both RSF and army deployment across communities throughout the state.
Both forces are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a important strategic and command base that connects Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently circulated video declaration.
Regional Residents Describe Safety Fears
A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the amount of RSF vehicles had increased significantly since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, concerned about fighting," the resident stated.
Another inhabitant, who requested anonymity for security reasons, 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.
International Concerns and Appeals
A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnically motivated reprisals" by RSF in Bara.
The official warned of patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against non-Arab ethnic groups.
The spiritual head on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not engage with the armed faction.
The diplomat further urged the global community to designate the group as a terrorist group.
