At least 36,000 Sudanese have fled since takeover of El Fasher to RSF, states UN agency
More than 36,000 civilians have escaped Sudan's Kordofan region eastern part of Darfur beginning Saturday, as reported by the UN's immigration body.
The important central zone between the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine region has during recent weeks become the latest battleground in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary group.
Substantial Exodus Figures
An approximated 36,825 people fled five localities in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The individuals, most on foot, headed to Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently accommodating more than 652,000 displaced people.
Increased Forces Deployment
Residents of North Kordofan on Monday described a heavy surge in both RSF and army concentration across communities throughout the state.
Both military groups are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a key logistics and command base that connects Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," said an RSF member in a recently distributed video message.
Area Residents Report Security Concerns
A resident of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the number of RSF vehicles had risen significantly since the group's seizure of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, fearing clashes," the resident stated.
Another resident, who sought confidentiality for safety concerns, also confirmed that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
Global Alarms and Requests
A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "large-scale atrocities" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.
The official warned of patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The spiritual head on Sunday appealed for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of relief routes in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the armed faction.
The representative further called on the global community to designate the group as a terrorist organisation.
