At least 36,000 Sudanese citizens have fled since capture of El Fasher to paramilitary group, reports UN agency
Over 36,000 civilians have escaped Sudan's Kordofan region east of Darfur starting Saturday, as reported by the UN's immigration body.
The strategic central area connecting the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine area has over recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the extended civil war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group.
Significant Exodus Numbers
An calculated 36,825 people escaped five localities in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, per data from the International Organization for Migration.
The civilians, primarily walking, moved toward Tawila, a town west of El Fasher that is currently sheltering in excess of 652,000 refugees.
Increased Military Presence
Residents of North Kordofan on Monday described a substantial rise in both RSF and army presence across communities throughout the state.
Both military groups are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a critical supply and command hub that connects Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have assembled at the Bara front here," said an RSF member in a recently shared video message.
Regional Residents Describe Security Concerns
A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the quantity of RSF vehicles had increased considerably since the group's seizure of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, fearing fighting," the local stated.
Another resident, who sought confidentiality for safety concerns, also confirmed that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
International Concerns and Calls
A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "extensive crimes" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.
The official warned of patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against non-Arab ethnic groups.
The religious leader on Sunday called for an quick cessation of hostilities and the opening of aid passageways in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the armed faction.
The diplomat further encouraged the global community to categorize the group as a terrorist group.
