More than 36,000 Sudanese people have fled since capture of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, reports UN agency
In excess of 36,000 people have escaped Sudan's Kordofan territory eastern part of Darfur since Saturday, according to the UN's immigration body.
The key central region connecting the country's Darfur areas and the Khartoum-Riverine region has during recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the extended civil war between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary group.
Substantial Exodus Numbers
An approximated 36,825 people fled five localities in North Kordofan province between 26 October and 31 October, per data from the International Organization for Migration.
The people, mainly traveling by foot, moved toward Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently housing more than 652,000 refugees.
Escalated Military Presence
Residents of North Kordofan on Monday described a heavy surge in both RSF and army presence across urban and rural areas throughout the state.
Both military groups are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a important strategic and command center that connects Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," said an RSF member in a recently circulated video declaration.
Area Inhabitants Report Safety Fears
A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the amount of RSF vehicles had increased considerably since the group's seizure of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, fearing fighting," the individual stated.
Another civilian, who requested anonymity for safety concerns, also confirmed that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days.
Global Alarms and Requests
A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "large-scale atrocities" and "ethnically motivated reprisals" by RSF in Bara.
The diplomat warned of patterns comparable to patterns in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.
The religious leader on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire and the opening of relief routes in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's ambassador to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the armed faction.
The representative further urged the world nations to classify the group as a terrorist entity.
