Attachments
This brief by the Sudan Protection Cluster is based on inputs from partners, community networks and other sources. It has not been possible to verify all the information below due to access constraints and telecommunications breakdowns.
Situation overview:
In early October, SAF initiated an offensive intended to re-take areas of Sennar and Jazira states over which RSF has exercised control since December 2023, in the case of Sennar, and since July 2024, in the case of Jazira. On 20 October, the defection of the RSF commander in Jazira state, Abu Aqleh Keikal, was announced. In the days that followed the defection, particularly over 23-24 October, intense clashes between RSF and SAF took place across multiple locations. This was followed by alleged armed attacks on civilian settlements by RSF that have been broadly interpreted as deliberately targeting the Shukria tribe of Keikal in retaliation for his defection, along with other communities reported to have welcomed SAF’s advances. While comprehensive information has been difficult to gather from the affected areas, reports suggest that over 30 villages have been severely impacted by the retaliation, predominately across Sharg Aj Jazirah and Um Algoura localities, with civilian deaths reported in at least 18 villages. Further, physical assault, intimidation and humiliation of civilians, attributed to RSF, was reported to have taken place in Al Hilaliya and Al Aziba. Consistent reports of widespread looting were also received from almost all affected locations, sometimes extending to health infrastructure such as the dialysis center in Al Hilaliya. Armed elements reportedly engaged in intimidation like firing in the air, indiscriminate shooting and threatening civilians with execution in order to compel their displacement. Reports from Um Daqrisi and other locations have indicated that civilians have been subject to detention, abductions for ransom and conflict related sexual violence (CRSV). Civilians attempting to flee the violence have faced difficulty doing so due to the presence of armed actors and use of heavy weaponry nearby. For example, aerial bombardment of RSF positions in the vicinity of Azraq reportedly left civilians in the area to fearful to attempt to flee.