🔗 Share this article

As stated by the United Nations refugee organization, more than 60,000 individuals have left the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the militia RSF over the weekend.

Reports indicate multiple executions and crimes against humanity as RSF fighters took control of the city following an year-and-a-half encirclement featuring food shortages and heavy bombardment.

The movement of those fleeing the violence towards the community of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had increased in the recent days, per UNHCR spokesperson.

Survivors were describing shocking accounts of violence, featuring rape, and the humanitarian group was finding it difficult to find enough shelter and supplies for them.

Each child was experiencing nutritional deficiencies, she commented.

Calculations indicate that over 150,000 residents are still unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the army's last stronghold in the western part of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has disputed broad allegations that the deaths in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and resemble a trend of the Arab paramilitaries targeting non-Arab communities.

Yet the RSF has arrested one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in on-the-spot executions.

The group distributed video revealing the member's apprehension following confirmation that he was responsible for the death of multiple civilians in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Video sharing service has verified that it has banned the account connected to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had managed the account in his name.

Sudan was thrown into a domestic fighting in April 2023 after a vicious power struggle broke out between its military and the RSF.

This has led to a starvation emergency and allegations of genocide in the western Sudan.

More than 150,000 persons have died in the fighting throughout the country, and approximately 12 million have abandoned their dwellings in what the United Nations has called the world's largest humanitarian emergency.

The seizure of el-Fasher reinforces the regional separation in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in command of the western region and a large portion of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the military holding the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the Red Sea.

The competing factions had been allies - gaining control together in a coup in 2021 - but split over an internationally backed plan to advance to democratic governance.