Over 60,000 Escape Sudan's City Following Capture by RSF Militia, UN States

According to the UN refugee agency, more than 60,000 people have fled the city in Sudan of el-Fasher, which was taken over by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces over the weekend.

Reports indicate multiple executions and crimes against humanity as paramilitary forces entered the city after an 18-month blockade characterized by food shortages and heavy bombardment.

The exodus of those fleeing the fighting towards the community of Tawila, approximately 80km (50 miles) to the west of el-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, as stated by UNHCR representative.

They were describing horrendous stories of atrocities, such as rape, and the agency was finding it difficult to locate adequate housing and supplies for them.

All children was experiencing malnutrition, she added.

Estimates suggest that over 150,000 individuals are still trapped in el-Fasher, which had been the army's remaining fortress in the western part of Darfur.

The Rapid Support Forces has rejected widespread accusations that the deaths in el-Fasher are driven by ethnicity and mirror a practice of the Arab militia groups focusing on non-Arab populations.

However the RSF has arrested one of its militiamen, Abu Lulu, who has been implicated in summary executions.

The force released footage depicting the member's arrest subsequent to confirmation that he was behind the death of multiple unarmed men in the vicinity of el-Fasher.

Video sharing service has confirmed that it has suspended the account linked to Lulu. Uncertainty exists whether he had operated the account in his identity.

Sudan was thrown into a internal conflict in April 2023 after a intense contest for control began between its military and the RSF.

It has caused a food crisis and accusations of genocide in the Darfur area.

More than 150,000 individuals have been killed in the conflict throughout the country, and approximately 12 million have fled their homes in what the United Nations has termed the most extensive humanitarian disaster.

The seizure of el-Fasher strengthens the geographic split in the country, with the Rapid Support Forces now in command of the western region and significant areas of bordering Kordofan to the south, and the military controlling the capital, Khartoum, central and eastern areas along the Red Sea.

The competing factions had been allies - coming to power together in a coup in 2021 - but disagreed over an globally supported proposal to advance to democratic governance.