Over 60,000 Escape Sudanese City After Seizure by Rapid Support Forces Militia, UN States

Refugees fleeing conflict in Sudan
Numerous seek to get to the settlement of Tawila but encounter harassment, demands for money and mistreatment from armed men along the way

Per the UN refugee agency, more than 60,000 civilians have escaped the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the militia RSF during the weekend.

Reports indicate mass executions and human rights violations as RSF fighters stormed the city after an 18-month encirclement marked by starvation and sustained attacks.

The flow of those fleeing the fighting towards the community of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the recent days, per United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.

Refugees were narrating terrible stories of atrocities, featuring sexual violence, and the humanitarian group was having trouble to locate enough accommodation and supplies for them.

All children was suffering from malnutrition, she added.

It is estimated that more than 150,000 residents are currently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the military's remaining stronghold in the western region of Darfur.

The RSF has disputed broad allegations that the executions in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and follow a trend of the Arab fighters targeting non-Arab populations.

Nevertheless the RSF has arrested one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with summary executions.

The group distributed video revealing the militiaman's detention following confirmation that he was behind the killing of multiple civilians close to el-Fasher.

Video sharing service has verified that it has removed the account linked to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had controlled the account in his identity.

Sudan was plunged into a internal conflict in April 2023 following a brutal power struggle broke out between its military and the RSF.

This has resulted in a food crisis and claims of ethnic cleansing in the western Darfur region.

Over 150,000 persons have lost their lives in the conflict throughout the country, and about 12 million have fled their homes in what the UN has termed the biggest global humanitarian emergency.

The takeover of el-Fasher strengthens the territorial division in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in control of western Sudan and significant areas of adjacent Kordofan to the south, and the military occupying the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.

The opposing sides had been allies - gaining control together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but disagreed over an foreign-endorsed plan to advance to civilian leadership.

Joshua Tucker
Joshua Tucker

A tech enthusiast and seasoned reviewer with a passion for testing and evaluating consumer electronics.