🔗 Share this article In excess of 60,000 Flee Sudanese City After Capture by RSF Paramilitary Group, United Nations Reports Numerous are trying to reach the town of Tawila but encounter harassment, demands for money and mistreatment from armed men along the way Per the United Nations refugee organization, more than 60,000 people have left the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the militia Rapid Support Forces over the weekend. Reports indicate summary killings and human rights violations as RSF fighters took control of the city after an 18-month blockade marked by starvation and heavy bombardment. The flow of those fleeing the fighting towards the town of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had accelerated in the recent days, as stated by UNHCR spokesperson. Survivors were telling horrendous stories of abuses, featuring sexual violence, and the agency was finding it difficult to locate sufficient accommodation and food for them. All children was suffering from malnutrition, she commented. It is estimated that over 150,000 people are presently unable to leave in el-Fasher, which had been the army's remaining bastion in the western region of Darfur. The Rapid Support Forces has disputed extensive claims that the executions in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and mirror a trend of the Arab fighters targeting non-Arab communities. Nevertheless the RSF has custodied one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of summary executions. The group released recordings revealing the member's arrest following identification that he was involved in the execution of multiple non-combatants close to el-Fasher. Digital platform has verified that it has suspended the profile linked to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had operated the profile in his name. Sudan was thrown into a domestic fighting in April 2023 after a brutal contest for control broke out between its army and the Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has resulted in a starvation emergency and claims of genocide in the western Sudan. More than 150,000 persons have died in the conflict across the country, and approximately 12 million have fled their homes in what the United Nations has called the biggest global humanitarian crisis. The takeover of el-Fasher strengthens the geographic split in the country, with the RSF now in control of western Sudan and significant areas of adjacent Kordofan to the south, and the army holding the capital, Khartoum, the center and east along the coastal region. The competing factions had been allies - coming to power together in a takeover in 2021 - but fell out over an foreign-endorsed plan to move towards civilian leadership.