🔗 Share this article Over 36,000 Sudanese citizens have fled since capture of El Fasher to RSF, reports UN agency In excess of 36,000 civilians have evacuated from Sudan's Kordofan region east of Darfur since Saturday, as stated by the UN's migration agency. The strategic central area between the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine area has in recent weeks become the latest battleground in the 24-month civil conflict between the Sudanese military forces and the paramilitary forces. Massive Evacuation Statistics An estimated 36,825 people evacuated from five districts in North Kordofan state between 26 October and 31 October, per data from the International Organization for Migration. The civilians, primarily walking, moved toward Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently housing in excess of 652,000 displaced people. Escalated Forces Deployment Local inhabitants of North Kordofan on Monday described a heavy surge in both RSF and army presence across urban and rural areas throughout the state. Both forces are vying for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a important strategic and command hub that connects Darfur to Khartoum. "Today, all our forces have assembled at the Bara front here," said an RSF member in a recently circulated video message. Area Residents Detail Safety Fears A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the number of RSF vehicles had risen significantly since the group's takeover of El Fasher. "We discontinued traveling to our farms, fearing clashes," the resident commented. Another inhabitant, who asked to remain unnamed for protection purposes, also confirmed that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the previous fortnight. World Concerns and Appeals A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "large-scale atrocities" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara. The diplomat cautioned about patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups. The spiritual head on Sunday urged an quick cessation of hostilities and the creation of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are producing unacceptable suffering." Sudan's official envoy to Egypt on Sunday accused RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the armed faction. The ambassador further urged the international community to designate the group as a terrorist group.