More than 60,000 Flee Sudan's City Following Takeover by RSF Paramilitary Group, UN Reports

Refugees escaping conflict in the region
Numerous seek to get to the settlement of Tawila but experience intimidation, demands for money and abuse from armed men along the way

According to the United Nations refugee organization, more than 60,000 civilians have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was seized by the militia RSF during the weekend.

Accounts suggest summary killings and crimes against humanity as RSF fighters entered the city following an year-and-a-half siege marked by famine and intense shelling.

The flow of those fleeing the conflict towards the community of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the recent days, per UNHCR spokesperson.

They were telling horrendous tales of abuses, including sexual violence, and the agency was struggling to secure sufficient accommodation and supplies for them.

All children was experiencing nutritional deficiencies, she commented.

Calculations indicate that more than 150,000 residents are presently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the military's final stronghold in the western part of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has rejected extensive accusations that the deaths in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and follow a practice of the Arab militia groups targeting non-Arab populations.

Yet the paramilitary group has custodied one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of extrajudicial killings.

The force shared footage depicting the member's detention subsequent to identification that he was involved in the killing of several civilians near el-Fasher.

Video sharing service has acknowledged that it has removed the channel connected to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had managed the account in his identity.

Sudan was plunged into a domestic fighting in April 2023 following a brutal struggle for power broke out between its army and the RSF.

This has resulted in a starvation emergency and allegations of mass killing in the Darfur area.

Over 150,000 individuals have died in the fighting throughout the country, and roughly 12 million have fled their homes in what the UN has termed the most extensive humanitarian disaster.

The seizure of el-Fasher strengthens the territorial division in the country, with the RSF now in control of Sudan's west and significant areas of adjacent Kordofan to the southern area, and the military occupying the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.

The two warring rivals had been allies - taking over together in a takeover in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported proposal to move towards democratic governance.

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