More than 60,000 Escape Sudanese City In the wake of Capture by RSF Paramilitary Group, United Nations Reports

Refugees fleeing violence in Sudan
Many seek to reach the town of Tawila but face intimidation, extortion and abuse from fighters along the way

As stated by the UNHCR, in excess of 60,000 individuals have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was seized by the militia Rapid Support Forces during the weekend.

There have been summary killings and atrocities as militia members entered the city following an 18-month blockade marked by starvation and sustained attacks.

The exodus of those escaping the conflict towards the town of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the last several days, per UNHCR representative.

Survivors were describing terrible tales of abuses, featuring rape, and the agency was having trouble to secure sufficient shelter and food for them.

All children was affected by undernourishment, she commented.

It is estimated that over 150,000 residents are presently unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the army's remaining bastion in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has denied extensive claims that the killings in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and mirror a pattern of the Arab fighters targeting ethnic minorities.

Nevertheless the paramilitary group has detained one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in summary executions.

The organization shared footage revealing the member's detention after confirmation that he was behind the execution of multiple non-combatants in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Digital platform has acknowledged that it has banned the channel linked to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had controlled the account in his name.

Sudan was thrown into a civil war in April 2023 following a vicious power struggle erupted between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.

This has resulted in a starvation emergency and accusations of mass killing in the western Darfur region.

In excess of 150,000 individuals have lost their lives in the fighting throughout the country, and roughly 12 million have abandoned their residences in what the United Nations has termed the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

The capture of el-Fasher solidifies the territorial division in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in command of Sudan's west and much of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the army controlling the main city, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region.

The two warring rivals had been collaborators - gaining control together in a coup in 2021 - but disagreed over an globally supported initiative to transition to civilian rule.

Thomas Moran
Thomas Moran

A passionate gamer and tech writer with over a decade of experience in the gaming industry.