At least 36,000 Sudanese people have escaped since capture of El Fasher to paramilitary group, states UN agency
Over 36,000 people have escaped Sudan's Kordofan territory eastern sector of Darfur since Saturday, according to the UN's immigration body.
The important central zone between the country's Darfur areas and the Khartoum-Riverine region has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese military forces and the militia group.
Substantial Displacement Statistics
An calculated 36,825 people evacuated from five areas in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The people, mainly traveling by foot, headed to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently housing in excess of 652,000 refugees.
Escalated Military Presence
Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday noted a substantial rise in both RSF and army deployment across communities throughout the state.
Both armed factions are contesting control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a key logistics and command hub that connects Darfur to Khartoum.
"Today, all our forces have assembled at the Bara front here," said an RSF member in a recently circulated video message.
Local Inhabitants Report Security Concerns
A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the quantity of RSF vehicles had risen significantly since the group's takeover of El Fasher.
"We ceased visiting our farms, afraid of confrontations," the local commented.
Another inhabitant, who asked to remain unnamed for security reasons, also indicated that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the previous fortnight.
International Alarms and Appeals
A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnically motivated reprisals" by RSF in Bara.
The official alerted to patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.
The religious leader on Sunday called for an immediate ceasefire and the establishment of relief routes in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."
Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of committing war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the paramilitary group.
The diplomat further encouraged the global community to designate the group as a terrorist group.