Sudan security forces free 65 foreign hostages in Kassala raid

September 4, 2025 (KASSALA) – Sudanese security forces have freed 65 foreign hostages from human traffickers in the eastern state of Kassala, the region’s acting governor said on Thursday.

The hostages, who were from various neighbouring countries, were found bound in iron chains, and some were in critical health, Governor Al-Sadiq Mohamed Al-Azraq said in a statement.

The raid was part of a wider security campaign targeting criminal gangs in the region, which borders Eritrea and Ethiopia and is a major transit route for human traffickers. Authorities also seized 10 stolen vehicles, motorcycles, and foreign liquor during the operation.

“Since declaring war on crime and criminals, we have committed ourselves to striking with an iron fist, without hesitation,” Al-Azraq said, vowing to show no leniency on security matters.

Brigadier General Ahmed Daoud, commander of the army’s 41st Infantry Brigade, confirmed the operation was part of a declared plan to combat security threats.

The governor called on citizens to cooperate with authorities by reporting criminal activity and said a dedicated hotline would be established for this purpose.

The raid comes after the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced earlier this month that it had taken in 321 people from Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Somalia following a similar anti-trafficking campaign in Kassala.

Sudan’s porous borders and long-running internal conflicts have made it difficult for authorities to control trafficking and smuggling networks operating across the country.