🔗 Share this article

According to the United Nations refugee organization, more than 60,000 individuals have escaped the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was seized by the militia Rapid Support Forces over the weekend.

There have been multiple executions and atrocities as paramilitary forces stormed the city after an 18-month blockade marked by starvation and heavy bombardment.

The exodus of those fleeing the violence towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the recent days, according to United Nations refugee agency representative.

Survivors were telling shocking tales of atrocities, featuring sexual violence, and the humanitarian group was finding it difficult to find adequate housing and food for them.

Every child was experiencing nutritional deficiencies, she added.

Calculations indicate that more than 150,000 people are presently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the army's last bastion in the western region of Darfur.

The RSF has denied broad allegations that the executions in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and follow a practice of the Arab paramilitaries attacking ethnic minorities.

Yet the RSF has detained one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with summary executions.

The force distributed video depicting the member's detention after confirmation that he was responsible for the death of numerous non-combatants near el-Fasher.

Social media platform has confirmed that it has removed the account linked to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had controlled the profile in his name.

Sudan was plunged into a internal conflict in April 2023 following a intense power struggle broke out between its military and the RSF.

The conflict has caused a famine and accusations of genocide in the Darfur area.

Over 150,000 individuals have lost their lives in the conflict throughout the country, and approximately 12 million have left their homes in what the United Nations has termed the biggest global humanitarian emergency.

The capture of el-Fasher reinforces the territorial division in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in dominance of western Sudan and much of neighbouring Kordofan to the south, and the army controlling the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the Red Sea.

The competing factions had been allies - coming to power together in a coup in 2021 - but split over an globally supported initiative to advance to civilian leadership.