In excess of 60,000 Run from Sudanese City After Takeover by Rapid Support Forces Militia, United Nations Says

Refugees fleeing violence in the region
Numerous seek to get to the settlement of Tawila but experience harassment, extortion and mistreatment from militiamen along the way

Per the UN refugee agency, in excess of 60,000 individuals have left the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was seized by the militia RSF during the weekend.

Reports indicate multiple executions and atrocities as militia members stormed the city following an year-and-a-half encirclement marked by famine and heavy bombardment.

The exodus of those running from the fighting towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had grown in the past few days, as stated by UNHCR spokesperson.

Survivors were narrating shocking tales of abuses, such as sexual violence, and the agency was finding it difficult to secure sufficient shelter and food for them.

Each child was suffering from undernourishment, she noted.

Estimates suggest that more than 150,000 individuals are still trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the military's remaining bastion in the western region of Darfur.

The RSF has disputed broad accusations that the executions in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and follow a pattern of the Arab militia groups focusing on non-Arab communities.

However the RSF has custodied one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in extrajudicial killings.

The group shared video depicting the militiaman's apprehension subsequent to confirmation that he was behind the execution of several civilians in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Social media platform has verified that it has removed the profile associated with Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had operated the account in his name.

Sudan was entered a internal conflict in April 2023 when a intense contest for control erupted between its military and the Rapid Support Forces.

This has led to a famine and accusations of mass killing in the western Sudan.

In excess of 150,000 people have died in the fighting throughout the country, and approximately 12 million have fled their residences in what the United Nations has called the world's largest humanitarian emergency.

The seizure of el-Fasher solidifies the territorial division in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in command of western Sudan and much of bordering Kordofan to the south, and the army controlling the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the Red Sea.

The two warring rivals had been allies - coming to power together in a coup in 2021 - but fell out over an internationally backed proposal to advance to civilian rule.

Jennifer Lewis
Jennifer Lewis

A seasoned casino analyst with over a decade of experience in the iGaming industry, specializing in slot machine reviews and bonus strategies.