🔗 Share this article

Over 36,000 individuals have fled Sudan's Kordofan territory eastern part of Darfur since Saturday, as reported by the UN's migration agency.

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

Significant Exodus Numbers

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

The individuals, primarily walking, moved toward Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently housing more than 652,000 refugees.

Heightened Troop Concentration

Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday noted a significant increase in both RSF and army concentration across communities throughout the state.

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

"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently shared video statement.

Area Inhabitants Describe Security Concerns

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

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

Another civilian, who requested anonymity for safety concerns, also reported that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the previous fortnight.

World Alarms and Appeals

A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "extensive crimes" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara.

The representative warned of patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.

The church leader on Sunday appealed for an prompt truce and the establishment of aid passageways in Sudan, declaring that attacks on civilians and impediments to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and stated that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the armed faction.

The representative further urged the global community to designate the group as a terrorist entity.