🔗 Share this article

As stated by the United Nations refugee organization, more than 60,000 people have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was seized by the paramilitary RSF during the weekend.

Reports indicate mass executions and atrocities as militia members took control of the city after an year-and-a-half blockade characterized by food shortages and sustained attacks.

The movement of those fleeing the conflict towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had grown in the past few days, as stated by UNHCR representative.

Refugees were narrating terrible tales of atrocities, such as sexual violence, and the agency was having trouble to find enough housing and food for them.

Every child was suffering from malnutrition, she commented.

It is estimated that more than 150,000 people are still trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the military's last bastion in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has rejected extensive allegations that the executions in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and mirror a practice of the Arab militia groups targeting ethnic minorities.

However the RSF has arrested one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with on-the-spot executions.

The group released recordings showing the member's apprehension after confirmation that he was involved in the death of multiple civilians close to el-Fasher.

Social media platform has verified that it has removed the channel linked to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had controlled the profile in his identity.

Sudan was entered a internal conflict in April 2023 following a brutal contest for control erupted between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.

It has led to a starvation emergency and accusations of ethnic cleansing in the western Darfur region.

Over 150,000 people have died in the war around the country, and roughly 12 million have fled their dwellings in what the UN has termed the most extensive humanitarian emergency.

The capture of el-Fasher reinforces the territorial division in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of Sudan's west and a large portion of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the military controlling the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the coastal region.

The two warring rivals had been partners - taking over together in a coup in 2021 - but split over an foreign-endorsed initiative to move towards civilian leadership.