More than 36,000 Sudanese citizens have escaped since fall of El Fasher to paramilitary group, says UN agency
In excess of 36,000 people have fled Sudan's Kordofan region eastern sector of Darfur since Saturday, according to the UN's migration organization.
The strategic central area between the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine area has over recent weeks become the latest battleground in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary forces.
Massive Evacuation Numbers
An calculated 36,825 people fled five areas in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The civilians, mainly traveling by foot, headed to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently accommodating in excess of 652,000 displaced people.
Increased Troop Concentration
Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday noted a heavy surge in both RSF and army deployment across communities throughout the state.
Both military groups are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a important strategic and command hub that links Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently shared video statement.
Regional Residents Report Protection Issues
A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the number of RSF vehicles had increased substantially since the group's seizure of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, fearing fighting," the local explained.
Another civilian, who requested anonymity for protection purposes, also reported that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
World Warnings and Appeals
A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.
The official cautioned about patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF militants have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The church leader on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's ambassador to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not engage with the armed faction.
The ambassador further urged the global community to categorize the group as a terrorist organisation.