More than 60,000 Escape Sudan's City After Capture by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, United Nations Says
Per the United Nations refugee organization, over 60,000 civilians have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the militia RSF during the weekend.
Reports indicate mass executions and human rights violations as paramilitary forces entered the city following an extended encirclement featuring famine and intense shelling.
The flow of those running from the violence towards the town of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, according to United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.
Survivors were telling horrendous stories of abuses, such as rape, and the organization was having trouble to find sufficient accommodation and nourishment for them.
Each child was affected by nutritional deficiencies, she added.
Estimates suggest that more than 150,000 residents are currently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the army's final stronghold in the western region of Darfur.
The RSF has denied widespread claims that the killings in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and resemble a practice of the Arab fighters targeting non-Arab communities.
Nevertheless the paramilitary group has detained one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with summary executions.
The force shared footage showing the militiaman's detention subsequent to verification that he was behind the death of several non-combatants close to el-Fasher.
Video sharing service has acknowledged that it has removed the account linked to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had controlled the account in his name.
Sudan was plunged into a domestic fighting in April 2023 after a brutal power struggle broke out between its army and the RSF.
This has caused a food crisis and claims of mass killing in the Darfur area.
More than 150,000 individuals have been killed in the fighting throughout the country, and roughly 12 million have left their dwellings in what the UN has called the most extensive humanitarian crisis.
The takeover of el-Fasher solidifies the geographic split in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in command of western Sudan and much of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the military occupying the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the coastal region.
The two warring rivals had been allies - coming to power together in a takeover in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported proposal to transition to civilian leadership.
