In excess of 60,000 Escape Sudanese City In the wake of Capture by Rapid Support Forces Militia, UN States

Refugees escaping violence in Sudan
Numerous seek to get to the town of Tawila but face harassment, extortion and abuse from fighters during their journey

Per the UNHCR, more than 60,000 civilians have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was seized by the militia Rapid Support Forces during the weekend.

There have been summary killings and human rights violations as RSF fighters took control of the city after an extended encirclement marked by starvation and sustained attacks.

The flow of those escaping the fighting towards the town of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, according to United Nations refugee agency representative.

Survivors were describing horrendous tales of atrocities, such as sexual violence, and the agency was struggling to find adequate accommodation and food for them.

All children was suffering from malnutrition, she noted.

Calculations indicate that in excess of 150,000 people are presently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the military's remaining bastion in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has denied widespread accusations that the executions in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and follow a practice of the Arab paramilitaries focusing on non-Arab communities.

However the paramilitary group has custodied one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with summary executions.

The organization distributed footage revealing the militiaman's detention following verification that he was behind the killing of multiple non-combatants in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Digital platform has verified that it has suspended the account linked to Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had operated the account in his name.

Sudan was thrown into a internal conflict in April 2023 following a vicious struggle for power began between its military and the Rapid Support Forces.

It has led to a starvation emergency and allegations of genocide in the western Sudan.

More than 150,000 persons have lost their lives in the war across the country, and approximately 12 million have abandoned their homes in what the United Nations has described as the most extensive humanitarian emergency.

The capture of el-Fasher strengthens the geographic split in the country, with the RSF now in control of western Sudan and significant areas of adjacent Kordofan to the south, and the military holding the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the Red Sea.

The two warring rivals had been collaborators - coming to power together in a takeover in 2021 - but disagreed over an internationally backed plan to advance to democratic governance.

Deborah Rodriguez
Deborah Rodriguez

A seasoned travel writer and photographer with a passion for uncovering hidden gems and sharing authentic stories from around the globe.