🔗 Share this article

Over 36,000 people have escaped Sudan's Kordofan territory eastern part of Darfur beginning Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration agency.

The strategic central area connecting the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine region has during recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group.

Substantial Evacuation Figures

An calculated 36,825 people fled five districts in North Kordofan province between 26 October and 31 October, as reported by the International Organization for Migration.

The civilians, most on foot, traveled to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently accommodating over 652,000 evacuated individuals.

Heightened Military Presence

Residents of North Kordofan on Monday noted a significant increase in both RSF and army concentration across urban and rural areas throughout the state.

Both armed factions are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a important strategic and command center that connects Darfur to Khartoum.

"Today, all our forces have assembled at the Bara front here," commented an RSF member in a recently shared video declaration.

Regional Citizens Report Security Concerns

A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the quantity of RSF vehicles had risen substantially since the group's seizure of El Fasher.

"We ceased visiting our farms, fearing clashes," the individual commented.

Another inhabitant, who requested anonymity for protection purposes, also reported that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the previous fortnight.

International Concerns and Appeals

A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "large-scale atrocities" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.

The diplomat warned of patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against non-Arab ethnic groups.

The church leader on Sunday appealed for an quick cessation of hostilities and the establishment of relief routes in Sudan, stating that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday charged RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the paramilitary group.

The ambassador further encouraged the international community to designate the group as a terrorist entity.