At least 36,000 Sudanese have evacuated since fall of El Fasher to paramilitary group, says UN agency
More than 36,000 civilians have fled Sudan's Kordofan region eastern sector of Darfur starting Saturday, according to the UN's migration agency.
The important central zone connecting the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine region has in recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the extended civil war between the Sudanese military forces and the militia group.
Significant Exodus Numbers
An calculated 36,825 people evacuated from five localities in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The civilians, most on foot, traveled to Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently housing in excess of 652,000 displaced people.
Escalated Forces Deployment
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday noted a substantial rise in both RSF and army presence across communities throughout the state.
Both armed factions are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a important strategic and command hub 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 declaration.
Regional Citizens Report Safety Fears
A resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the quantity of RSF vehicles had increased significantly since the group's seizure of El Fasher.
"We stopped going to our farms, afraid of clashes," the local stated.
Another inhabitant, who sought confidentiality for protection purposes, also indicated that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the previous fortnight.
International Concerns and Appeals
A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "extensive crimes" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.
The diplomat warned of patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The spiritual head on Sunday urged an prompt truce and the establishment of relief routes in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's ambassador to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the paramilitary group.
The diplomat further encouraged the global community to categorize the group as a terrorist entity.
