By Nafisa Eltahir (Reuters) -Sudanese paramilitary forces beat and shot men fleeing from a long-besieged city in Darfur after capturing it, according to an account from an escapee corroborated by statements from aid officials,

RSF paramilitary fighters are carrying out mass ethnic killings in the recently captured city of El Fashir, according to videos, aerial images and interviews.

Analysis of satellite images concludes paramilitary soldiers are conducting mass killings in house-to-house operations

Sudan’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, has announced the withdrawal of his soldiers from their last stronghold in Darfur, as the United Nations issued a stark warning over reports of “ atrocities ” by the paramilitary group now in control of the city of el-Fasher.

More than 1,850 civilians have been killed in Sudan’s North Darfur since January, including at least 1,350 in the city of El Fasher, the United Nations reported Monday, warning that the true toll is likely higher due to restricted access and limited communications amid the ongoing civil war.

Darfur Governor Minni Arko Minawi on Tuesday blamed foreign intelligence agencies for aiding the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in their capture of El Fasher by cutting his troops’ communications, while also admitting to “major mistakes” by his own side.

Recent developments in Darfur see the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces capturing the city of al-Fashir, causing civilians to flee amid reports of violence and humanitarian crises. The takeover, following an 18-month siege,