At least 36,000 Sudanese have evacuated following fall of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, reports UN agency
Over 36,000 people have fled Sudan's Kordofan area eastern sector of Darfur beginning Saturday, as stated by the UN's migration agency.
The strategic central area separating the country's Darfur areas and the capital region has in recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the extended civil war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary forces.
Massive Displacement Figures
An estimated 36,825 people evacuated from five districts in North Kordofan province between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The people, most on foot, moved toward Tawila, a town west of El Fasher that is currently accommodating over 652,000 displaced people.
Increased Military Presence
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday noted a substantial rise in both RSF and army presence across towns and villages throughout the state.
Both armed factions are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a critical supply and command base that links Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," said an RSF member in a recently shared video statement.
Regional Inhabitants Detail Safety Fears
A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the quantity of RSF vehicles had grown significantly since the group's seizure of El Fasher.
"We stopped going to our farms, fearing confrontations," the local stated.
Another inhabitant, who sought confidentiality for security reasons, also indicated that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.
International Alarms and Calls
A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnically motivated reprisals" by RSF in Bara.
The representative cautioned about patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The religious leader on Sunday called for 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 official envoy to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and declared that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the paramilitary group.
The representative further encouraged the world nations to designate the group as a terrorist organisation.
