🔗 Share this article

Over 36,000 people have escaped Sudan's Kordofan territory eastern sector of Darfur starting Saturday, according to the UN's migration organization.

The strategic central area between the country's Darfur areas and the Khartoum-Riverine region has in recent weeks become the recent fighting area in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary group.

Substantial 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, traveled to Tawila, a town west of El Fasher that is currently accommodating in excess of 652,000 displaced people.

Heightened Military Presence

Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday reported a heavy surge in both RSF and army presence across towns and villages throughout the state.

Both military groups are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a important strategic and command hub that connects Darfur to Khartoum.

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

Regional Inhabitants Describe Security Concerns

A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the amount of RSF vehicles had grown considerably since the group's takeover of El Fasher.

"We discontinued traveling to our farms, fearing clashes," the individual explained.

Another civilian, 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 past two weeks.

World Concerns and Appeals

A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.

The diplomat cautioned about patterns comparable to patterns in Darfur, where RSF militants have been alleged to commit mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against specific ethnic communities.

The religious leader on Sunday urged an quick cessation of hostilities and the establishment of relief routes in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and obstacles to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering."

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

The ambassador further encouraged the world nations to categorize the group as a terrorist entity.