More than 36,000 Sudanese people have escaped since fall of El Fasher to RSF, says UN agency
In excess of 36,000 civilians have escaped Sudan's Kordofan area eastern sector of Darfur beginning Saturday, according to the UN's migration agency.
The important central zone separating the country's Darfur provinces and the Khartoum-Riverine region has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary group.
Massive Evacuation Statistics
An approximated 36,825 people escaped five districts in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The people, most on foot, moved toward Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently sheltering in excess of 652,000 evacuated individuals.
Escalated Forces Deployment
Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday noted a heavy surge in both RSF and army concentration across communities throughout the state.
Both armed factions are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a critical supply and command base that joins Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently shared video statement.
Area Residents Report Safety Fears
A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the quantity of RSF vehicles had grown considerably since the group's seizure of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, afraid of confrontations," the local stated.
Another inhabitant, who sought confidentiality for protection purposes, also indicated that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
World Concerns and Calls
A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "extensive crimes" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.
The representative cautioned about patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.
The religious leader on Sunday called for an quick cessation of hostilities and the opening of relief routes in Sudan, declaring that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the armed faction.
The representative further called on the international community to designate the group as a terrorist organisation.
