Over 60,000 Flee Sudan's City After Seizure by Rapid Support Forces Militia, UN States

As stated by the UNHCR, over 60,000 civilians have left the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces recently.

Reports indicate summary killings and atrocities as RSF fighters took control of the city following an 18-month siege characterized by starvation and heavy bombardment.

The exodus of those escaping the conflict towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the recent days, according to United Nations refugee agency spokesperson.

Survivors were describing shocking stories of violence, including sexual violence, and the organization was having trouble to locate adequate accommodation and supplies for them.

Each child was suffering from undernourishment, she commented.

Calculations indicate that over 150,000 people are presently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the army's last stronghold in the western part of Darfur.

The RSF has rejected extensive accusations that the deaths in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and resemble a practice of the Arab militia groups attacking non-Arab communities.

Nevertheless the paramilitary group has detained one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of summary executions.

The organization shared footage depicting the fighter's detention following identification that he was involved in the killing of multiple unarmed men close to el-Fasher.

Social media platform has verified that it has suspended the channel linked to Lulu. It is not clear whether he had controlled the account in his name.

Sudan was thrown into a civil war in April 2023 following a brutal contest for control began between its army and the Rapid Support Forces.

It has led to a starvation emergency and accusations of genocide in the western Darfur region.

Over 150,000 people have lost their lives in the war around the country, and roughly 12 million have abandoned their residences in what the United Nations has termed the biggest global humanitarian crisis.

The takeover of el-Fasher reinforces the regional separation in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in control of the western region and a large portion of bordering Kordofan to the south, and the military holding the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the Red Sea.

The competing factions had been partners - coming to power together in a takeover in 2021 - but split over an foreign-endorsed initiative to move towards civilian rule.