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In excess of 36,000 people have escaped Sudan's Kordofan area east of Darfur starting 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 during recent weeks become the newest conflict zone in the two-year civil war between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary forces.

Substantial Evacuation Figures

An approximated 36,825 people fled five areas in North Kordofan region between 26 October and 31 October, according to the International Organization for Migration.

The people, most on foot, traveled to Tawila, a town western side of El Fasher that is currently sheltering over 652,000 displaced people.

Heightened Military Presence

Residents of North Kordofan on Monday described a substantial rise in both RSF and army deployment across urban and rural areas throughout the state.

Both armed factions are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan provincial capital and a important strategic and command hub that links Darfur to Khartoum.

"Today, all our forces have gathered at the Bara front here," said an RSF member in a recently distributed video statement.

Area Citizens Report Safety Fears

A local inhabitant of Um Smeima, located west of El Obeid, described that the number of RSF vehicles had increased substantially since the group's seizure of El Fasher.

"We stopped going to our farms, afraid of confrontations," the resident commented.

Another inhabitant, who asked to remain unnamed for protection purposes, also indicated that "there has been a significant rise in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.

Global Concerns and Calls

A senior UN official expressed concerns last week about "extensive crimes" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.

The representative alerted to patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF militants have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against non-Arab ethnic groups.

The religious leader on Sunday urged an prompt truce and the establishment of humanitarian corridors in Sudan, saying that attacks on civilians and hindrances to humanitarian aid "are causing unacceptable suffering."

Sudan's diplomatic representative to Egypt on Sunday alleged RSF of carrying out war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the militia organization.

The ambassador further urged the international community to categorize the group as a terrorist organisation.