At least 36,000 Sudanese have evacuated following fall of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, reports UN agency
In excess of 36,000 individuals have escaped Sudan's Kordofan territory eastern sector of Darfur beginning Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration agency.
The key central region between the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine area has over recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the extended civil war between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary group.
Massive Evacuation Figures
An approximated 36,825 people fled five localities in North Kordofan province between 26 October and 31 October, per data from the International Organization for Migration.
The people, mainly traveling by foot, headed to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently housing more than 652,000 displaced people.
Escalated Military Presence
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday noted a substantial rise in both RSF and army deployment across communities throughout the state.
Both military groups are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a critical supply and command base that links Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently distributed video statement.
Regional Citizens Report Safety Fears
A resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the number of RSF vehicles had increased significantly since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, concerned about clashes," the resident stated.
Another civilian, who requested anonymity for safety concerns, also reported that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
International Alarms and Calls
A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "large-scale atrocities" and "ethnically motivated reprisals" by RSF in Bara.
The diplomat cautioned about patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The spiritual head on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire and the creation of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, declaring that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the armed faction.
The diplomat further encouraged the world nations to designate the group as a terrorist group.