ADRE, Chad - A new wave of ethnically-driven killings in Sudan's West Darfur has resulted in a surge of people fleeing to neighboring Chad. The violence unfolded as the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) took control of the main army base in the state capital, El Geneina.

Eyewitnesses on Tuesday reported seeing men crossing into Chad at Adre, located approximately 27 kilometers west of El Geneina. The refugees recounted witnessing brutal attacks by Arab militias and RSF forces targeting the Masalit ethnic group in the Ardamata district of El Geneina, home to the army base and an internally displaced people (IDP) camp.

According to previous reports by Reuters, the RSF and allied Arab militias conducted a series of systematic attacks targeting the Masalit, the majority ethnic African tribe in El Geneina, from April to June of this year. The country descended into war between the RSF and Sudan's army.

Although Arab tribal leaders have denied any involvement in ethnic cleansing, eyewitnesses have described a grim scene of violence. Nabil Meccia, a nurse who managed to escape to Chad, recounted witnessing RSF forces killing civilians during raids in the Ardamata camp. Meccia also witnessed men being lined up and executed.

As the violence intensified, the army base in Ardamata came under attack, with militiamen shelling homes in the IDP camp. Nabil Meccia and other witnesses disclosed that military commanders evacuated the base, leaving it vulnerable. Community leaders then collected weapons for self-defense, but the situation quickly deteriorated. RSF forces reportedly arrested and forced labor upon civilians, while dozens were executed in Ardamata's Kobri district on Sunday.

The conflict in Sudan has led to a significant humanitarian crisis, with millions of people displaced. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over six million people have been displaced, and more than 500,000 have sought refuge in Chad, predominantly from West Darfur.

On the Chadian border, the number of people fleeing from West Darfur drastically rose to 3,146 on Saturday, according to border guards. However, RSF forces reportedly obstructed thousands more from crossing into Chad, demanding payment for passage.

Witness accounts further shed light on the harrowing violence endured by the Masalit community. Mashaar Omar Ahmed described how militias and RSF forces executed over 30 men in Ardamata's District B, separating them from the women. Sarah Adam Idris, another survivor, recounted how the RSF stormed the IDP camp, looting and torching houses while killing men.

The situation remains dire, with ceasefire attempts failing during talks in Jeddah. The priority now is to provide aid and establish confidence-building measures, according to mediators.

As the international community grapples with this worsening crisis, the urgency to protect vulnerable populations and resolve the conflict in Sudan's West Darfur cannot be overstated. The need for swift action and humanitarian aid is crucial to prevent further loss of life and ensure the safety of those fleeing the violence.