More than 60,000 Flee Sudanese City After Capture by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, UN States

Refugees escaping conflict in Sudan
Numerous are attempting to get to the settlement of Tawila but face intimidation, extortion and mistreatment from militiamen during their journey

Per the United Nations refugee organization, in excess of 60,000 civilians have escaped the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the militia Rapid Support Forces during the weekend.

Accounts suggest mass executions and crimes against humanity as RSF fighters entered the city following an extended blockade featuring famine and sustained attacks.

The flow of those escaping the fighting towards the community of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had grown in the recent days, as stated by United Nations refugee agency representative.

Refugees were narrating shocking accounts of atrocities, such as rape, and the agency was finding it difficult to secure enough shelter and nourishment for them.

Every child was affected by undernourishment, she commented.

It is estimated that over 150,000 residents are still unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the military's remaining stronghold in the western region of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has rejected broad claims that the executions in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and mirror a practice of the Arab fighters targeting ethnic minorities.

Nevertheless the RSF has detained one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with summary executions.

The organization released video revealing the member's detention after identification that he was involved in the killing of multiple non-combatants close to el-Fasher.

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

Sudan was thrown into a domestic fighting in April 2023 after a intense power struggle began between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.

This has resulted in a food crisis and claims of ethnic cleansing in the Darfur area.

In excess of 150,000 people have lost their lives in the war around the country, and roughly 12 million have fled their dwellings in what the UN has described as the most extensive humanitarian disaster.

The seizure of el-Fasher reinforces the regional separation in the country, with the RSF now in command of the western region and significant areas of adjacent Kordofan to the south, and the military controlling the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the coastal region.

The opposing sides had been collaborators - coming to power together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but disagreed over an foreign-endorsed initiative to move towards civilian rule.

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