• UN warns of grave humanitarian crisis following the Rapid Support Forces' takeover of El Fasher.
• Over 450 civilians reportedly killed in a series of violent attacks by paramilitaries.
• Mass displacement exceeds 36,000 individuals fleeing the violence towards nearby camps.
• Humanitarian aid organizations express urgent need for assistance as food and medical supplies dwindle.
• The RSF's advance heightens fears of ethnic violence and prolonged conflict in Sudan.

United Nations officials have condemned a series of mass killings by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Fasher, North Darfur, outlining a dire humanitarian crisis as the city has experienced overwhelming violence and chaos. Martha Ama Akyaa Pobee, the UN's Assistant Secretary-General for Africa, described the situation as "horrifying," with credible reports indicating widespread executions, summary killings, and human rights abuses occurring as civilians attempt to escape the violence. She emphasized that "no one is safe in el-Fasher," signaling the town's descent into chaos after the RSF seized control, amplifying fears for the safety of residents, according to Al Jazeera, South China Morning Post, and India Times.

The escalating crisis has led to an alarming increase in the number of internally displaced persons, with over 36,000 fleeing El Fasher since the RSF's takeover. Aid organizations have pointed out that roads are "littered with bodies," and reports indicate that many have been subjected to arbitrary killings and sexual violence. Tom Fletcher, the UN's humanitarian chief, criticized the Security Council for its lack of effective intervention in this ongoing crisis, emphasizing the necessity for immediate action to halt the flow of arms into the conflict, as well as to facilitate humanitarian assistance, notes Al Jazeera and South China Morning Post.

The humanitarian toll is staggering, with the International Organisation for Migration reporting a dramatic drop of 62% in El Fasher's population this year, indicating the severe level of displacement due to violence and hunger. The UN Refugee Agency has classified the situation in Darfur as "worst-in-class" concerning displacement crises, impacting millions who are facing hunger and acute food insecurity. Reports also suggest a pattern of ethnically targeted violence, exacerbated by the RSF's history as a militia linked to previous atrocities in Darfur, as detailed by South China Morning Post and India Times.

The RSF's actions in El Fasher signal a significant shift in the security dynamics throughout Sudan, with the potential for the country to fragment further into separate dominions, as the RSF now holds major urban centers throughout Darfur. Such developments raise urgent concerns regarding ethnic violence and mass atrocities, prompting international calls for enhanced humanitarian response and accountability for human rights abuses, articulated during UN discussions citing the pressing need for "an immediate humanitarian truce," according to Al Jazeera and India Times.