🔗 Share this article More than 60,000 Escape Sudan's City After Capture by Rapid Support Forces Paramilitary Group, UN Says Many are attempting to reach the town of Tawila but experience harassment, extortion and mistreatment from militiamen during their journey Per the United Nations refugee organization, more than 60,000 civilians have left the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was captured by the militia Rapid Support Forces over the weekend. Reports indicate multiple executions and human rights violations as RSF fighters took control of the city after an 18-month siege characterized by food shortages and heavy bombardment. The movement of those running from the violence towards the town of Tawila, roughly 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had grown in the recent days, as stated by United Nations refugee agency spokesperson. They were narrating horrendous stories of atrocities, such as sexual violence, and the organization was struggling to find adequate accommodation and supplies for them. All children was experiencing undernourishment, she noted. Estimates suggest that in excess of 150,000 residents are currently stranded in el-Fasher, which had been the military's final bastion in the western part of Darfur. The Rapid Support Forces has rejected widespread allegations that the killings in el-Fasher are based on ethnic factors and mirror a pattern of the Arab militia groups targeting non-Arab communities. Yet the RSF has detained one of its members, Abu Lulu, who has been accused of summary executions. The group released recordings revealing the member's detention subsequent to confirmation that he was involved in the killing of numerous non-combatants near el-Fasher. Digital platform has acknowledged that it has suspended the account linked to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had managed the profile in his identity. Sudan was entered a domestic fighting in April 2023 when a intense struggle for power broke out between its army and the Rapid Support Forces. The conflict has led to a starvation emergency and claims of genocide in the western Sudan. In excess of 150,000 individuals have been killed in the fighting around the country, and about 12 million have abandoned their residences in what the UN has termed the biggest global humanitarian emergency. The seizure of el-Fasher solidifies the regional separation in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in command of the western region and much of neighbouring Kordofan to the southern area, and the military occupying the main city, Khartoum, central and eastern regions along the Red Sea. The two warring rivals had been partners - taking over together in a coup in 2021 - but fell out over an foreign-endorsed proposal to move towards democratic governance.