In excess of 60,000 Escape Sudanese City After Capture by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, UN Reports

According to the UNHCR, over 60,000 civilians have left the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was seized by the militia RSF recently.

Reports indicate summary killings and crimes against humanity as militia members stormed the city after an year-and-a-half encirclement featuring food shortages and heavy bombardment.

The exodus of those fleeing the violence towards the community of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the recent days, as stated by UNHCR spokesperson.

Survivors were describing horrendous stories of abuses, featuring sexual violence, and the agency was finding it difficult to locate sufficient shelter and supplies for them.

Every child was experiencing nutritional deficiencies, she added.

It is estimated that over 150,000 residents are still unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the military's last bastion in the western region of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has disputed broad claims that the killings in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and follow a pattern of the Arab militia groups targeting non-Arab communities.

Nevertheless the paramilitary group has arrested one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of on-the-spot executions.

The organization released footage showing the member's detention subsequent to verification that he was responsible for the killing of multiple non-combatants near el-Fasher.

Digital platform has confirmed that it has banned the channel associated with Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had controlled the account in his identity.

Sudan was entered a internal conflict in April 2023 when a brutal contest for control erupted between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.

The conflict has resulted in a starvation emergency and claims of mass killing in the western Sudan.

In excess of 150,000 individuals have died in the conflict around the country, and approximately 12 million have left their dwellings in what the United Nations has described as the most extensive humanitarian crisis.

The capture of el-Fasher reinforces the territorial division in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in control of western Sudan and a large portion of bordering Kordofan to the south, and the military occupying the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the coastal region.

The two warring rivals had been partners - taking over together in a takeover in 2021 - but disagreed over an foreign-endorsed initiative to move towards civilian rule.