🔗 Share this article At least 36,000 Sudanese citizens have fled following capture of El Fasher to paramilitary group, states UN agency More than 36,000 people have escaped Sudan's Kordofan area eastern part of Darfur beginning Saturday, as stated by the UN's migration agency. The strategic central area connecting the country's Darfur regions and the Khartoum-Riverine area has over recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the two-year civil war between the Sudanese armed forces and the militia group. Significant Exodus Statistics An calculated 36,825 people fled five localities in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration. The individuals, mainly traveling by foot, headed to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently housing in excess of 652,000 displaced people. Increased Troop Concentration Residents of North Kordofan on Monday reported a significant increase in both RSF and army concentration across communities throughout the state. Both armed factions are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan regional capital and a key logistics and command hub that links Darfur to Khartoum. "Today, all our forces have converged on the Bara front here," stated an RSF member in a recently shared video declaration. Local Residents Describe Security Concerns A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, stated that the number of RSF vehicles had grown considerably since the group's takeover of El Fasher. "We stopped going to our farms, fearing fighting," the resident commented. Another inhabitant, who sought confidentiality for security reasons, also indicated that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the last fourteen days. International Concerns and Calls A senior UN official sounded warnings last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara. The representative warned of patterns similar to those in Darfur, where RSF fighters have been charged with mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups. The spiritual head on Sunday appealed for an immediate ceasefire and the opening of relief routes in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are creating unacceptable suffering." Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of perpetrating war crimes in El Fasher and declared that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the armed faction. The diplomat further urged the global community to designate the group as a terrorist entity.