More than 60,000 Flee Sudanese City In the wake of Seizure by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, United Nations Reports

Refugees fleeing conflict in Sudan
Many are attempting to get to the town of Tawila but encounter harassment, extortion and mistreatment from armed men during their journey

According to the UN refugee agency, more than 60,000 individuals have left the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary RSF during the weekend.

Reports indicate multiple executions and crimes against humanity as militia members entered the city after an extended blockade characterized by food shortages and intense shelling.

The movement of those running from the conflict towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the last several days, per United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.

Refugees were describing terrible accounts of atrocities, such as sexual violence, and the humanitarian group was finding it difficult to secure adequate accommodation and nourishment for them.

Each child was affected by undernourishment, she noted.

Estimates suggest that over 150,000 individuals are currently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the army's final bastion in the western region of Darfur.

The RSF has disputed extensive claims that the deaths in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and mirror a practice of the Arab militia groups attacking ethnic minorities.

Yet the RSF has arrested one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of on-the-spot executions.

The organization distributed video depicting the member's apprehension following verification that he was responsible for the execution of several civilians close to el-Fasher.

Video sharing service has acknowledged that it has suspended the account linked to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had managed the profile in his identity.

Sudan was plunged into a civil war in April 2023 when a intense power struggle began between its military and the RSF.

This has caused a famine and allegations of ethnic cleansing in the Darfur area.

In excess of 150,000 individuals have died in the war around the country, and roughly 12 million have abandoned their homes in what the UN has termed the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

The capture of el-Fasher solidifies the regional separation in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in control of the western region and significant areas of bordering Kordofan to the south, and the military occupying the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the coastal region.

The two warring rivals had been allies - gaining control together in a coup in 2021 - but fell out over an foreign-endorsed initiative to move towards democratic governance.

Elizabeth Murray
Elizabeth Murray

Wildlife biologist and photographer specializing in sloth conservation, with over a decade of field experience in Central and South America.