At least 36,000 Sudanese have fled since fall of El Fasher to RSF, says UN agency

"More than 36,000 Sudanese have fled the Kordofan region east of Darfur since Saturday, the UN's migration agency has said, a week after the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces took control of the city of El Fasher. The strategic central area between Sudan's Darfur provinces and the Khartoum-Riverine region that includes the capital to the east, has in recent weeks become the latest battleground in the two-year civil war between the Sudanese armed forces (SAF) and the paramilitary group."

"An estimated 36,825 people have fled five localities in North Kordofan state between 26 October the day El Fasher fell to RSF and 31 October, the International Organization for Migration said late on Sunday. The people, most on foot, were headed to Tawila, a town west of El Fasher that's sheltering more than 652,000 displaced people, the UN said. Residents of North Kordofan on Monday reported a heavy surge in both RSF and army presence across towns and villages in the state."

Over 36,000 people have fled North Kordofan since 26 October after the Rapid Support Forces captured El Fasher, with 36,825 people displaced from five localities by 31 October, mostly travelling on foot. Many are moving toward Tawila, a town west of El Fasher sheltering over 652,000 displaced people. Both RSF and Sudanese armed forces have increased presence across towns and villages as they contest control of El Obeid, a strategic logistics and command hub with an airport. RSF claimed control of Bara and residents report rising military vehicles, abandoned farms and fears of ethnically motivated reprisals.

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