At least 36,000 Sudanese people have fled since capture of El Fasher to paramilitary group, states UN agency
Over 36,000 civilians have fled Sudan's Kordofan region eastern part of Darfur starting Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration organization.
The strategic central area separating the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine area has in recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary group.
Massive Displacement Numbers
An estimated 36,825 people escaped five districts in North Kordofan province between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The civilians, most on foot, traveled to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently sheltering over 652,000 refugees.
Heightened Military Presence
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday reported a substantial rise in both RSF and army concentration across urban and rural areas throughout the state.
Both armed factions are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a important strategic and command hub that connects Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently circulated video statement.
Area Citizens Report Security Concerns
A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the amount of RSF vehicles had grown considerably since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We discontinued traveling to our farms, concerned about fighting," the resident explained.
Another inhabitant, who sought confidentiality for safety concerns, also reported that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
World Warnings and Calls
A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "extensive crimes" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.
The representative cautioned about patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF militants have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.
The religious leader on Sunday urged an prompt truce and the creation of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the armed faction.
The diplomat further called on the international community to designate the group as a terrorist organisation.
