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Over 36,000 civilians have fled Sudan's Kordofan area east of Darfur beginning Saturday, as reported 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 extended civil war between the Sudanese armed forces and the paramilitary forces.

Substantial Exodus Numbers

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

The civilians, mainly traveling by foot, traveled to Tawila, a town to the west of El Fasher that is currently housing in excess of 652,000 evacuated individuals.

Increased Forces Deployment

Citizens of North Kordofan on Monday reported a substantial rise in both RSF and army concentration across urban and rural areas throughout the state.

Both armed factions are competing for control of El Obeid, the North Kordofan state capital and a key logistics and command base 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 message.

Regional Citizens Detail Safety Fears

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

"We ceased visiting our farms, afraid of clashes," the resident explained.

Another resident, who sought confidentiality for protection purposes, also indicated that "there has been a substantial growth in army vehicles and weapons west and south of El Obeid" over the past two weeks.

World Alarms and Requests

A senior UN official raised the alarm last week about "widespread abuses" and "ethnic-based retaliations" by RSF in Bara.

The representative warned of patterns echoing those in Darfur, where RSF combatants have been accused of mass killings, sexual violence and abductions against certain racial groups.

The religious leader on Sunday urged an quick cessation of hostilities and the establishment 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 committing war crimes in El Fasher and announced that the Sudanese government would not discuss with the armed faction.

The representative further encouraged the international community to designate the group as a terrorist organisation.