At least 36,000 Sudanese people have fled since takeover of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, reports UN agency
In excess of 36,000 individuals have escaped Sudan's Kordofan region east of Darfur since Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration agency.
The important central zone between the country's Darfur regions and the capital region has during recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary forces.
Significant Exodus Figures
An estimated 36,825 people fled five districts in North Kordofan province between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The individuals, most on foot, traveled to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently accommodating in excess of 652,000 refugees.
Escalated Troop Concentration
Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday reported a significant increase in both RSF and army presence across communities throughout the state.
Both armed factions are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a critical supply and command base that links Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently shared video declaration.
Regional Residents Describe Protection Issues
A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the amount of RSF vehicles had increased substantially since the group's seizure of El Fasher.
"We discontinued traveling to our farms, fearing confrontations," the individual stated.
Another inhabitant, who asked to remain unnamed for safety concerns, also reported that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the previous fortnight.
World Concerns and Appeals
A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.
The diplomat cautioned about patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.
The church leader on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of relief routes in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the paramilitary group.
The diplomat further called on the international community to categorize the group as a terrorist organisation.