At least 36,000 Sudanese people have evacuated following takeover of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, reports UN agency
More than 36,000 individuals have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan region east of Darfur since Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration agency.
The important central zone between the country's Darfur areas and the Khartoum-Riverine region has over recent weeks become the latest battleground in the two-year civil war between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group.
Massive Displacement Figures
An estimated 36,825 people fled five areas in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.
The people, most on foot, headed to Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently housing more than 652,000 refugees.
Increased Military Presence
Residents of North Kordofan on Monday noted a substantial rise in both RSF and army deployment across communities throughout the state.
Both military groups are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a important strategic and command base that links Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently distributed video message.
Area Citizens Report Protection Issues
A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the amount of RSF vehicles had risen substantially since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We discontinued traveling to our farms, concerned about clashes," the local explained.
Another inhabitant, who requested anonymity for security reasons, 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.
World Concerns and Calls
A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.
The representative 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 appealed for an prompt truce and the establishment of aid passageways in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's ambassador 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 paramilitary group.
The diplomat further encouraged the international community to classify the group as a terrorist entity.