At least 36,000 Sudanese have evacuated since capture of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, says UN agency

In excess of 36,000 individuals have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan region eastern sector of Darfur beginning Saturday, according to the UN's immigration body.

The strategic central area connecting the country's Darfur provinces and the Khartoum-Riverine region has during recent weeks become the latest battleground in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and the militia group.

Massive Evacuation Statistics

An estimated 36,825 people evacuated from five areas in North Kordofan province between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.

The people, primarily walking, traveled to Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently accommodating in excess of 652,000 evacuated individuals.

Heightened Forces Deployment

Residents of North Kordofan on Monday described a significant increase 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," said an RSF member in a recently circulated video message.

Local Citizens Describe Protection Issues

A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the quantity of RSF vehicles had risen substantially since the group's takeover of El Fasher.

"We discontinued traveling to our farms, afraid of fighting," the resident stated.

Another civilian, who requested anonymity for security reasons, also indicated that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the previous fortnight.

Global Concerns and Appeals

A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnically motivated reprisals" by RSF in Bara.

The official warned of patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.

The church leader on Sunday urged an quick cessation of hostilities and the creation of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, declaring that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the paramilitary group.

The ambassador further called on the global community to classify the group as a terrorist entity.