Over 36,000 Sudanese citizens have escaped since fall of El Fasher to Rapid Support Forces, reports UN agency

In excess of 36,000 civilians have escaped Sudan's Kordofan territory eastern part of Darfur since Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration organization.

The strategic central area between the country's Darfur provinces and the capital region has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the extended civil war between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary forces.

Massive Displacement Statistics

An estimated 36,825 people fled five areas in North Kordofan province between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The civilians, primarily walking, headed to Tawila, a town west of El Fasher that is currently sheltering more than 652,000 displaced people.

Escalated Military Presence

Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday reported a heavy surge in both RSF and army presence across communities throughout the state.

Both forces are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a critical supply and command base that connects Darfur to Khartoum.

"Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently distributed video message.

Local Inhabitants Report Protection Issues

A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the amount of RSF vehicles had increased substantially since the group's takeover of El Fasher.

"We stopped going to our farms, afraid of clashes," the individual stated.

Another resident, who sought confidentiality for security reasons, also indicated that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.

World Alarms and Requests

A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.

The official alerted to patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.

The religious leader on Sunday urged an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of relief routes in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's ambassador to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and declared that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the militia organization.

The diplomat further called on the global community to classify the group as a terrorist entity.