Al jazeera: Alsudanianews
Al Jazeera Human Rights Observatory expresses its deep concern regarding the serious incident that occurred in the village of Umm Duwana, in Al Hasahisa locality of Al Jazirah State, recently. An unidentified armed force attacked the village, carrying out widespread acts of intimidation, including chasing young men, firing shots into the air, storming into homes, and forcibly shaving the heads of several boys. It is likely that this behavior aims to terrorize young people and force them to join, either voluntarily or forcibly, the armed militias that have expanded their activities in Sudan since the outbreak of war on April 15, 2023.
Journalist Muhadin Al-Zaim was also arrested by the same unidentified force for publishing a report about this attack.
It has become clear that the security situation in Al Jazeera State is deteriorating dangerously due to the proliferation of weapons and the absence of oversight, coupled with the escalating activities of armed groups with a militia-like character operating outside any legal framework. According to the latest available statistics, the number of armed militias allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces has reached approximately 183. The most prominent of these are active in the states of central Sudan, including Al-Baroun Group, the Sudan Shield, the Joint Forces, and elements from the Tigray region in Al-Jazeera State. The Observatory confirms that this chaotic situation threatens the safety of local residents and exacerbates the suffering of civilians displaced from conflict zones.
The continuation of these violations exposes the residents of Al-Jazirah State—especially youth and children—to grave risks, including targeting, forced recruitment, violence, and extortion. This situation is a continuation of the collapse of the rule of law and official
security institutions.
The Al-Jazirah Human Rights Observatory strongly condemns:
• The acts of intimidation and violence perpetrated by the armed group against civilians.
• The targeting, intimidation, and degrading treatment of youth.
• The proliferation of militias in residential areas without any effective intervention from the competent authorities.
The Sudanese authorities and relevant official bodies must:
1. Launch an immediate and independent investigation into the attack and hold the perpetrators accountable.
2. Strengthen the presence of disciplined, regular forces to protect civilians in Al-Jazeera State.
3. Cease all support or political cover for militias and cut off their sources of funding.
4. Guarantee that young people are not subjected to forced recruitment or direct targeting by any armed group.
We also urge the United Nations and international organizations to:
1. Have the fact-finding mission investigate such violations and include them in its report scheduled for submission next year.
2. Expand civilian protection programs in areas receiving displaced persons.
The Al-Jazeera Human Rights Observatory affirms that protecting civilians and ending the militarization of Sudanese society have become an urgent national necessity, and that allowing militias to operate unchecked poses a direct threat to civil peace and the security of all Sudanese states.
Al-Jazeera Human Rights Observatory
Al-Jazeera State – Sudan
November 27, 2025
