Crisis in Sudan: Over 60,000 Displaced in El-Fasher Amid RSF Control

Sun Nov 02 2025 00:27:06 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The UN reports a significant humanitarian crisis as more than 60,000 individuals flee El-Fasher due to the takeover by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), amidst severe atrocities and violence.

The UNHCR reveals that over 60,000 people have fled El-Fasher following its capture by the RSF, leading to reports of mass executions and horrific human rights abuses. As violence escalates, the situation for those remaining and those fleeing becomes increasingly dire, with survivors recounting terrible experiences amid allegations of ethnic targeting.

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.

There have been reports of mass executions and crimes against humanity as RSF fighters stormed the city after an 18-month siege marked by starvation and heavy bombardment.

The flow of those fleeing the violence towards the town of Tawila, about 80km (50 miles) west of El-Fasher, had increased in the past few days, UNHCR's Eujin Byun reported.

Survivors have narrated horrendous stories of atrocities, including sexual violence, while the agency struggles to provide adequate shelter and food, with every child in need of nutrition support.

Over 150,000 individuals are still believed to be trapped in El-Fasher, which was the army's last stronghold in the western region of Darfur.

The RSF has denied allegations of ethnic motivations behind the killings in El-Fasher. However, they have detained Abu Lulu, a militiaman accused of summary executions, with reports suggesting he was behind the execution of unarmed men.

Sudan was plunged into civil war in April 2023 after a violent power struggle erupted between the army and the RSF, leading to severe famine and claims of genocide in Darfur. The ongoing conflict has resulted in more than 150,000 deaths and the displacement of about 12 million people, marking it as the world's largest humanitarian crisis.

The geographical divide in the country has widened, with the RSF controlling western Sudan and much of the Kordofan region while the army maintains control over the capital, Khartoum, and areas along the Red Sea.