🔗 Share this article At least 36,000 Sudanese have fled after takeover of El Fasher to RSF, states UN agency More than 36,000 civilians have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan region eastern sector of Darfur since Saturday, as stated by the UN's migration agency. The important central zone separating the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine region has in recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary group. Massive Exodus Statistics An approximated 36,825 people escaped five localities in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, per data from the International Organization for Migration. The civilians, primarily walking, moved toward Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently housing over 652,000 refugees. Heightened Troop Concentration Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday described a heavy surge in both RSF and army concentration across communities throughout the state. Both armed factions are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a critical supply and command hub that joins Darfur to Khartoum. "Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," said an RSF member in a recently circulated video statement. Local Inhabitants Detail Protection Issues A area citizen of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, reported that the number of RSF vehicles had grown substantially since the group's seizure of El Fasher. "We stopped going to our farms, afraid of clashes," the resident explained. Another civilian, who asked to remain unnamed for safety concerns, also indicated that "there has been a big increase in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the previous fortnight. International Warnings and Requests A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "large-scale atrocities" and "race-driven revenge attacks" by RSF in Bara. The official warned of patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups. The church leader on Sunday appealed for an immediate ceasefire and the creation of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, declaring that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering." Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not negotiate with the armed faction. The ambassador further called on the world nations to classify the group as a terrorist organisation.