At least 36,000 Sudanese citizens have evacuated after takeover of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, states UN agency
In excess of 36,000 people have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan territory east of Darfur since Saturday, according to the UN's migration agency.
The important central zone between the country's Darfur provinces and the Khartoum-Riverine region has in recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary forces.
Substantial Displacement Numbers
An calculated 36,825 people evacuated from five areas in North Kordofan province between 26 October and 31 October, per data from the International Organization for Migration.
The civilians, most on foot, traveled to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently housing more than 652,000 displaced people.
Heightened Military Presence
Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday noted a heavy surge in both RSF and army deployment across towns and villages throughout the state.
Both armed factions are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a important strategic and command base that joins Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently shared video declaration.
Local Citizens Describe Safety Fears
A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the amount of RSF vehicles had risen substantially since the group's capture of El Fasher.
"We discontinued traveling to our farms, afraid of clashes," the resident stated.
Another civilian, who sought confidentiality for safety concerns, also indicated that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the previous fortnight.
Global Alarms and Appeals
A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "large-scale atrocities" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.
The diplomat cautioned about patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF militants have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.
The religious leader on Sunday urged an quick cessation of hostilities and the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the militia organization.
The diplomat further called on the world nations to designate the group as a terrorist group.