🔗 Share this article

According to the UNHCR, over 60,000 civilians have left the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the paramilitary RSF recently.

Reports indicate summary killings and atrocities as RSF fighters took control of the city following an extended encirclement characterized by starvation and sustained attacks.

The movement of those escaping the violence towards the community of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the recent days, according to UNHCR representative.

Survivors were narrating horrendous stories of atrocities, including sexual violence, and the humanitarian group was having trouble to secure enough shelter and nourishment for them.

Each child was experiencing nutritional deficiencies, she noted.

Estimates suggest that over 150,000 individuals are presently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the army's last stronghold in the western part of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has denied widespread accusations that the deaths in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and resemble a practice of the Arab paramilitaries attacking ethnic minorities.

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

The force released recordings showing the fighter's detention following verification that he was behind the execution of multiple non-combatants near el-Fasher.

Social media platform has verified that it has suspended the account associated with Lulu. It is not clear whether he had controlled the profile in his identity.

Sudan was plunged into a civil war in April 2023 following a vicious contest for control erupted between its military and the Rapid Support Forces.

The conflict has led to a food crisis and allegations of genocide in the western Darfur region.

More than 150,000 persons have been killed in the conflict throughout the country, and about 12 million have fled their dwellings in what the UN has described as the most extensive humanitarian disaster.

The capture of el-Fasher strengthens the territorial division in the country, with the RSF now in control of the western region and much of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the military holding the main city, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea.

The competing factions had been partners - coming to power together in a coup in 2021 - but split over an internationally backed plan to transition to democratic governance.