Shaken, scratched, and left with just the clothes he is wearing, Ezzeldin Hassan Musa describes the brutality of Sudan's Rapid Support Forces (RSF) as it has taken control of el-Fasher city in the Darfur region. His chilling testimony portrays a nightmarish scenario where fighters tortured and murdered men trying to flee.
Now in the town of Tawila, lying exhausted on a mat under a gazebo, Ezzeldin is one of several thousand who have made it to relative safety after escaping what the UN has described as horrific violence. We were divided into groups and beaten. The scenes were extremely brutal. We saw people murdered in front of us, he recalls.
The RSF leader, Gen Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, admitted to violations in el-Fasher, and a senior UN official mentioned that the RSF had arrested some suspects. As the situation escalates, the urgent need for humanitarian aid becomes increasingly paramount.
About an 80km (50-mile) journey from el-Fasher, Tawila has become a refuge for those lucky enough to escape. Ezzeldin reports, We left el-Fasher four days ago. The suffering we encountered on the way was unimaginable. His directive urges, Public roads should be secured for citizens, or humanitarian aid sent to the streets. People are in a critical state - they can't move, speak, or seek help. Aid should reach them, because many are missing and suffering.
As of recent reports, approximately 5,000 individuals have made it to Tawila following the RSF's takeover. However, with insights from aid workers, it's concerning that many others remain trapped, struggling in dire situations.
