More than 60,000 people have fled the Sudanese city of el-Fasher, which was captured by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) over the weekend, according to the UN refugee agency.
Reports indicate mass executions and crimes against humanity as RSF fighters took control after an 18-month siege characterized by starvation and heavy bombardment.
As the influx of fleeing residents heads towards the town of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) west, the UN's Eujin Byun emphasized the dreadful accounts of atrocities, including sexual violence, as aid agencies struggle to provide adequate shelter and food.
Malnutrition is rampant among the displaced children, who face extreme conditions. With estimates indicating more than 150,000 people remain trapped in el-Fasher, the humanitarian situation grows increasingly dire.
The RSF has faced allegations of ethnically motivated violence but counters these claims. Recently, one RSF member accused of killings was detained, and the group has publicly condemned such actions.
The ongoing civil conflict in Sudan has intensified since April 2023, contributing to a humanitarian crisis labeled as one of the worst globally, with over 150,000 deaths and millions displaced from their homes.
The RSF controls western Sudan and much of the neighboring Kordofan region, while the national army retains power in the capital, Khartoum, and other areas.
