More than 60,000 Flee Sudanese City Following Capture by Rapid Support Forces Militia, United Nations Says

Refugees fleeing conflict in Sudan
Numerous seek to get to the settlement of Tawila but face harassment, demands for money and abuse from militiamen during their journey

Per the UN refugee agency, over 60,000 civilians have escaped the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the militia RSF recently.

There have been summary killings and crimes against humanity as paramilitary forces stormed the city following an year-and-a-half siege marked by starvation and heavy bombardment.

The movement of those fleeing the conflict towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the last several days, according to UNHCR spokesperson.

Survivors were narrating horrendous tales of atrocities, such as rape, and the agency was struggling to secure sufficient shelter and nourishment for them.

Every child was experiencing nutritional deficiencies, she added.

Estimates suggest that over 150,000 individuals are still trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the military's final bastion in the western part of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has disputed widespread claims that the killings in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and mirror a trend of the Arab militia groups focusing on non-Arab communities.

Nevertheless the paramilitary group has arrested one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in summary executions.

The force shared footage showing the member's apprehension after identification that he was behind the death of multiple unarmed men in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Social media platform has confirmed that it has banned the account linked to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had managed the account in his identity.

Sudan was thrown into a internal conflict in April 2023 when a intense struggle for power began between its army and the RSF.

The conflict has resulted in a starvation emergency and accusations of genocide in the Darfur area.

Over 150,000 persons have lost their lives in the conflict across the country, and approximately 12 million have fled their homes in what the UN has termed the most extensive humanitarian crisis.

The seizure of el-Fasher strengthens the geographic split in the country, with the RSF now in command of the western region and significant areas of bordering Kordofan to the southern area, and the military controlling the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the Red Sea.

The opposing sides had been allies - coming to power together in a seizure of power in 2021 - but fell out over an globally supported plan to move towards civilian rule.

Lisa Jones
Lisa Jones

A seasoned sports analyst with over a decade of experience in betting markets, specializing in statistical modeling and risk management.