Sudan army arrests dozens, ends ‘Awlad Gammari’ rebellion in Northern State
November 23, 2025 (DONGOLA) – Security authorities in the Northern State announced on Saturday that they had taken control of a rebellion by the “Strategic Reconnaissance Battalion” group, locally known as “Awlad Gammari,” following armed clashes that occurred yesterday, Friday. The clashes resulted in the death of two soldiers, while the battalion commander and others were injured.
The clashes took place near the land port in Dongola, the capital of the Northern State, between an army force and the “Awlad Gammari” group, leading to casualties before the army managed to control the situation by arresting dozens of the group’s members and confiscating their vehicles.
The Northern State Security Committee stated in a press release that the Armed Forces in the Dongola Operations Sector had issued directives for the Reconnaissance Battalion, known as “Awlad Gammari,” to integrate into the work of the 75th Infantry Brigade in Dongola, given that its personnel carry military numbers that subject them to the Armed Forces law.
It explained that “the battalion commander, named Hussein Yahia Mohamed Juma Gammari, refused to comply with the directives, showed insubordination in implementing them, and wore the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, threatening to use force against anyone who approached him.”
The statement indicated that the Armed Forces acted with high professionalism, resulting in the killing of his personal guard and his injury, while one army member was killed during the exchange of fire.
The statement revealed that the army was able to recover most of the vehicles used by the military group, as well as heavy and personal weapons.
The Security Committee demanded that the remaining members of the group report to the Dongola Operations Sector within 48 hours and hand over the vehicles and weapons in their possession.
It threatened to strike “with an iron fist” anyone who seeks to threaten the security of the citizen and called for the necessity of immediate reporting of any signs of security chaos.
The “Awlad Gammari” group dates back to the era of the ousted President Omar al-Bashir and included a number of personnel dismissed from the army and police. With the outbreak of the war on April 15, 2023, the militia’s influence expanded after the army contained it and proceeded to arm it amid calls for mobilization, leading to its spread in various cities of the Northern State, particularly in the desert areas.
The group faces increasing accusations of committing violations against civilians through the checkpoints it establishes within cities, in addition to suspicions related to trafficking and smuggling of weapons and drugs. It is also active in gold mining operations, especially in the border triangle area.