🔗 Share this article

Per the United Nations refugee organization, more than 60,000 civilians have left the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the militia Rapid Support Forces during the weekend.

Reports indicate mass executions and atrocities as RSF fighters took control of the city after an 18-month siege featuring food shortages and heavy bombardment.

The exodus of those escaping the conflict towards the community of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had grown in the past few days, as stated by UNHCR representative.

Refugees were telling shocking stories of abuses, featuring rape, and the humanitarian group was finding it difficult to find enough accommodation and food for them.

All children was experiencing malnutrition, she noted.

It is estimated that over 150,000 people are currently trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the army's remaining fortress in the western region of Darfur.

The RSF has rejected widespread accusations that the executions in el-Fasher are ethnically motivated and resemble a trend of the Arab paramilitaries focusing on non-Arab populations.

Yet the RSF has arrested one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in summary executions.

The group released video showing the member's arrest following confirmation that he was behind the execution of numerous civilians in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Social media platform has confirmed that it has suspended the account linked to Lulu. The status remains unclear whether he had controlled the account in his name.

Sudan was thrown into a internal conflict in April 2023 when a brutal struggle for power erupted between its military and the Rapid Support Forces.

It has caused a famine and claims of ethnic cleansing in the Darfur area.

Over 150,000 individuals have died in the war across the country, and approximately 12 million have left their residences in what the UN has termed the most extensive humanitarian crisis.

The seizure of el-Fasher reinforces the territorial division in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in control of the western region and much of bordering 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 collaborators - taking over together in a coup in 2021 - but fell out over an internationally backed initiative to move towards civilian leadership.