More than 60,000 Flee Sudan's City In the wake of Takeover by RSF Militia, UN Reports
Per the UNHCR, in excess of 60,000 civilians have escaped the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was seized by the paramilitary RSF over the weekend.
Reports indicate multiple executions and crimes against humanity as paramilitary forces stormed the city after an extended blockade marked by starvation and intense shelling.
The exodus of those fleeing the violence towards the community of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the last several days, according to United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.
Refugees were narrating shocking stories of abuses, featuring sexual violence, and the humanitarian group was finding it difficult to locate adequate shelter and food for them.
Each child was affected by malnutrition, she noted.
It is estimated that more than 150,000 individuals are currently unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the army's remaining stronghold in the western part of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has disputed broad accusations that the deaths in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and resemble a trend of the Arab paramilitaries attacking non-Arab populations.
Yet the paramilitary group has arrested one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of summary executions.
The organization released footage revealing the member's arrest after confirmation that he was behind the killing of numerous civilians near el-Fasher.
Social media platform has acknowledged that it has banned the profile linked to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had controlled the account in his identity.
Sudan was thrown into a domestic fighting in April 2023 when a vicious contest for control erupted between its military and the RSF.
This has caused a food crisis and allegations of genocide in the western Darfur region.
Over 150,000 people have died in the fighting throughout the country, and approximately 12 million have left their dwellings in what the United Nations has called the most extensive humanitarian disaster.
The seizure of el-Fasher reinforces the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of the western region and a large portion of adjacent Kordofan to the southern area, and the military holding the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the Red Sea.
The two warring rivals had been allies - taking over together in a coup in 2021 - but split over an internationally backed proposal to advance to civilian leadership.