Over 60,000 Run from Sudanese City After Capture by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, United Nations Reports
According to the UN refugee agency, over 60,000 individuals have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the militia RSF recently.
There have been multiple executions and crimes against humanity as paramilitary forces stormed the city following an extended encirclement featuring starvation and sustained attacks.
The movement of those escaping the violence towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had grown in the past few days, as stated by UNHCR spokesperson.
They were describing horrendous stories of abuses, featuring sexual violence, and the organization was struggling to locate sufficient shelter and food for them.
Every child was experiencing malnutrition, she added.
Estimates suggest that in excess of 150,000 individuals are currently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the military's last stronghold in the western part of Darfur.
The RSF has rejected extensive accusations that the deaths in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and mirror a pattern of the Arab fighters attacking ethnic minorities.
Yet the paramilitary group has arrested one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in extrajudicial killings.
The force released footage showing the fighter's detention following verification that he was involved in the death of several unarmed men close to el-Fasher.
Video sharing service has verified that it has banned the channel associated with Lulu. It is not clear whether he had controlled the account in his name.
Sudan was plunged into a domestic fighting in April 2023 following a vicious power struggle broke out between its army and the RSF.
This has caused a famine and allegations of mass killing in the western Sudan.
More than 150,000 people have died in the war around the country, and roughly 12 million have left their dwellings in what the United Nations has called the most extensive humanitarian disaster.
The seizure of el-Fasher strengthens the regional separation in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in command of western Sudan and significant areas of adjacent Kordofan to the southern area, and the army occupying the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the Red Sea.
The competing factions had been allies - taking over together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but disagreed over an globally supported proposal to move towards civilian leadership.