🔗 Share this article In excess of 60,000 Escape Sudanese City After Takeover by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, UN Reports Numerous seek to reach the town of Tawila but experience intimidation, extortion and mistreatment from fighters along the way According to the UNHCR, in excess of 60,000 people have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the militia Rapid Support Forces over the weekend. There have been summary killings and crimes against humanity as militia members entered the city following an 18-month blockade marked by food shortages and heavy bombardment. The flow of those fleeing the conflict towards the community of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, as stated by UNHCR representative. They were narrating shocking stories of abuses, including sexual violence, and the humanitarian group was struggling to locate enough accommodation and food for them. Each child was experiencing malnutrition, she added. It is estimated that more than 150,000 residents are currently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the military's remaining stronghold in the western region of Darfur. The RSF has rejected extensive allegations that the deaths in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and follow a pattern of the Arab paramilitaries focusing on non-Arab populations. Nevertheless the paramilitary group has detained one of its fighters, Abu Lulu, who has been charged with extrajudicial killings. The force distributed video depicting the member's apprehension following confirmation that he was behind the execution of numerous civilians in the vicinity of el-Fasher. Video sharing service has verified that it has suspended the channel associated with Lulu. It is not clear whether he had controlled the profile in his identity. Sudan was entered a domestic fighting in April 2023 after a intense contest for control erupted between its military and the Rapid Support Forces. This has caused a food crisis and claims of genocide in the Darfur area. In excess of 150,000 individuals have died in the fighting throughout the country, and approximately 12 million have left their residences in what the United Nations has termed the world's largest humanitarian crisis. The seizure of el-Fasher reinforces the geographic split in the country, with the RSF now in dominance of western Sudan and a large portion of neighbouring Kordofan to the southern area, and the army occupying the main city, Khartoum, the center and east along the Red Sea. The competing factions had been collaborators - gaining control together in a takeover in 2021 - but split over an internationally backed proposal to move towards civilian rule.