More than 36,000 Sudanese people have evacuated following capture of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, states UN agency

More than 36,000 civilians have fled Sudan's Kordofan region east of Darfur beginning Saturday, as reported by the UN's immigration body.

The key central region separating the country's Darfur provinces and the capital region has over recent weeks become the latest battleground in the two-year civil war between the Sudanese army and the militia group.

Significant Exodus Figures

An estimated 36,825 people evacuated from five districts in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, per data from the International Organization for Migration.

The civilians, primarily walking, traveled to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently housing in excess of 652,000 refugees.

Escalated Military Presence

Residents of North Kordofan on Monday reported a substantial rise in both RSF and army concentration across urban and rural areas throughout the state.

Both forces are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a critical supply and command center that connects Darfur to Khartoum.

"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," said an RSF member in a recently circulated video message.

Regional Citizens Report Protection Issues

A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the number of RSF vehicles had increased significantly since the group's capture of El Fasher.

"We discontinued traveling to our farms, fearing confrontations," the local explained.

Another civilian, who requested anonymity for security reasons, also indicated that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.

International Warnings and Requests

A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "large-scale atrocities" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.

The representative cautioned about patterns comparable to patterns in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.

The church leader on Sunday urged an quick cessation of hostilities and the opening of relief routes in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's ambassador to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the armed faction.

The representative further urged the international community to classify the group as a terrorist entity.

Cory Cooke
Cory Cooke

A wellness enthusiast and lifestyle writer, Aria shares evidence-based tips and personal insights to help readers achieve balance and vitality.