In excess of 60,000 Escape Sudan's City In the wake of Seizure by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, United Nations Says
According to the United Nations refugee organization, in excess of 60,000 individuals have left the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the militia RSF during the weekend.
Accounts suggest mass executions and human rights violations as militia members entered the city after an 18-month siege marked by starvation and intense shelling.
The movement of those escaping the conflict towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, according to UNHCR representative.
Survivors were describing shocking stories of abuses, such as sexual violence, and the organization was having trouble to locate adequate accommodation and supplies for them.
Every child was experiencing nutritional deficiencies, she added.
It is estimated that over 150,000 residents are currently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the army's last bastion in the western part of Darfur.
The Rapid Support Forces has disputed broad accusations that the killings in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and mirror a pattern of the Arab paramilitaries attacking ethnic minorities.
Nevertheless the RSF has detained one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in summary executions.
The group released footage depicting the militiaman's apprehension following identification that he was responsible for the death of multiple civilians 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 operated the account in his name.
Sudan was entered a domestic fighting in April 2023 following a vicious contest for control broke out between its military and the RSF.
The conflict has caused a starvation emergency and allegations of mass killing in the western Darfur region.
More than 150,000 persons have lost their lives in the war across the country, and roughly 12 million have fled their residences in what the UN has called the biggest global humanitarian crisis.
The takeover of el-Fasher strengthens the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of Sudan's west and a large portion of adjacent Kordofan to the south, and the army occupying 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 initiative to advance to civilian leadership.