RSF accused of fresh violations, army intensifies operations in Al-Jazeera state
March 3, 2024 (WAD MADANI/AL-HASAHISA) – Activists in Sudan’s central Al-Jazeera State allege the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are committing new violations in several villages while the army ramps up military operations in the region amidst a communications and internet blackout that has lasted for about 24 days.
Last week, the Central Observatory for Human Rights in Sudan released a detailed report stating the RSF stormed 53 villages in Al-Jazira State within three weeks, coinciding with the disruption of communication networks. The report alleges these attacks resulted in the deaths of 46 civilians and injuries to about 90 others, in addition to widespread arrests and looting of villagers’ property.
The Wad Madani Resistance Committees in Al Jazeera State said in a statement that one civilian was killed and six others were injured during the RSF’s storming of the village of Wadi Shair, located west of the city of Al Hasahisa – about 45 kilometres north of Wad Madani.
According to the resistance committees, the RSF stormed the village of Wadi Shair on multiple occasions, looting cars, residents’ property, and large sums of money from merchants in the nearby village of Tabet. The statement also mentions a large RSF base situated between the two villages, where the group allegedly stores looted cars and property.
Activists and human rights groups find it difficult to obtain information about RSF violations in Al-Jazeera State due to the ongoing communications blackout, which they claim has worsened the situation’s severity. They allege the RSF has exploited the blackout to commit similar crimes, including looting warehouses of medicines and food commodities, during their entry into Wad Madani city.
In December 2023, the RSF took control of Wad Madani, the capital of Al-Jazeera State, before expanding south towards the outskirts of Sennar State.
Military Operations
The Al-Hasahisa Resistance Committees reported in a statement on Sunday that Sudanese army warplanes bombed RSF positions near the Al-Hasahisa Court without causing civilian casualties.
On Saturday, military sources reported that army forces stationed north of Sennar State could advance north towards Al Jazeera State, seizing control of a sugar factory west of Sennar and its neighbouring villages, previously held by the RSF.
Facebook accounts affiliated with army supporters shared video clips of the army entering the sugar factory. Social media platforms also circulated videos of citizens celebrating with the army in Sennar, marking the area’s ” liberation “.
The Sudanese army currently surrounds Al-Jazeera State from three axes: Al-Faw to the east, Al-Manaqil to the west, and Sennar to the south. Reports suggest the army plans a major military operation to regain state control.
The ongoing tensions between the RSF and the army, coupled with the alleged human rights violations and communications blackout, paint a concerning picture of the situation in Al-Jazeera State. How the situation will unfold in the coming days remains to be seen.
(ST)