At least 36,000 Sudanese people have escaped since capture of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, says UN agency
In excess of 36,000 individuals have escaped Sudan's Kordofan territory east of Darfur since Saturday, according to the UN's migration agency.
The strategic central area connecting the country's Darfur provinces and the capital region has in recent weeks become the latest battleground in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary group.
Massive Displacement Numbers
An calculated 36,825 people evacuated from five localities in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The people, mainly traveling by foot, headed to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently housing more than 652,000 displaced people.
Heightened Troop Concentration
Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday reported a substantial rise in both RSF and army presence across communities throughout the state.
Both military groups are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a critical supply and command base that links Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have assembled at the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently circulated video message.
Local Citizens Report Security Concerns
A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the amount of RSF vehicles had risen considerably since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, concerned about confrontations," the individual commented.
Another civilian, who sought confidentiality for protection purposes, also reported that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the previous fortnight.
International Alarms and Appeals
A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "extensive crimes" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.
The representative warned of patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF militants have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against non-Arab ethnic groups.
The spiritual head on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire and the opening of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, declaring that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not engage with the paramilitary group.
The representative further urged the world nations to designate the group as a terrorist entity.
