Report on Crimes Committed by the Joint Forces and Armed Movements in North Darfur
Report on Crimes
Darfur Victims Support Organization
Introduction:
In October 2024, North Darfur State, specifically the cities of Al-Fashir and Dar Al-Salam, witnessed a significant escalation in severe violations against civilians. These violations included the killing of citizens based on their ethnicity and the looting of their property, exacerbating the suffering of both local residents and displaced persons. The crimes were primarily committed by joint forces and certain armed groups. This report aims to document these crimes, shed light on the violations committed against civilians, and provide practical recommendations to the international community and concerned parties for the protection of civilians and the prosecution of the perpetrators.
Summary of Events:
At the beginning of October 2024, the city of Al-Fashir saw violent clashes between the Sudanese Army, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), and armed movements, resulting in the killing of a number of unarmed civilians based on ethnic grounds. The clashes extended to Dar Al-Salam locality, where armed confrontations occurred, and civilian property was looted, including shops, food markets, and communication devices.
Crimes Committed:
- The Killing of Dr. Mohammed Amer Yousif on Ethnic Grounds – Al-Fashir – October 1, 2024
On October 1, 2024, around 7:00 AM, clashes erupted between the army, armed movements, and the RSF in the Al-Thawra neighborhood of Al-Fashir. Dr. Mohammed Amer Yousif, known as “The Egyptian,” was a former lecturer at West Kordofan University and later at Al-Fashir University. He left his home in the Al-Hijra neighborhood to inspect his house in Al-Thawra. While crossing the “Um Shujaira” neighborhood, he was stopped at a checkpoint manned by the armed movements.
He was immediately shot based on his light skin tone in a purely racist crime. He was first shot in the leg and then in the head, leading to his instant death. His belongings, including his mobile phone, 50,000 Sudanese pounds in cash, and personal documents, were looted.
- Attack by Joint Forces on Dar Al-Salam Locality – October 13, 2024
On October 13, 2024, a joint force consisting of 40 military vehicles moved from Al-Fashir towards Dar Al-Salam (Ketal), about 72 kilometers away. These forces attacked RSF units stationed in Dar Al-Salam, resulting in intense clashes between the two sides.
After the joint forces succeeded in expelling the RSF from the area, the latter launched a counterattack on October 16, 2024. During this attack, RSF troops conducted widespread looting in the Dar Al-Salam market, targeting mobile phone stores, communication equipment, and food supplies. They also used violence against civilians, shooting some of them, resulting in the deaths of two civilians:
- Taj Zeitoon (47 years old)
- Abdelaziz Abakar (40 years old)
The Dar Al-Salam locality is experiencing a significant influx of displaced persons, estimated at around 100,000 who fled from Al-Fashir due to the ongoing clashes. With the intensification of violence, approximately 35,000 people have moved from West Valley to East Valley, facing dire humanitarian conditions, including severe shortages of food and medicine.
Recommendations:
- Condemnation of Fighting in Residential Areas: The Darfur Victims Support Organization strongly condemns the ongoing fighting in residential areas between the warring parties, which has resulted in significant civilian casualties.
- International Investigation: The organization calls for the formation of an international investigation committee under the supervision of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the United Nations Security Council to investigate the crimes committed against civilians in North Darfur and hold those responsible accountable.
- Ceasefire: The organization urges all conflicting parties to immediately cease all hostilities and work towards peaceful solutions to end this ongoing conflict.
- Protection of Civilians: The organization appeals to the international community to deploy United Nations peacekeeping forces to protect civilians in conflict-affected areas and ensure the immediate delivery of humanitarian aid.
The continuation of military operations and the use of force against civilians based on ethnic and regional grounds threatens to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in North Darfur. Failure to impose a no-fly zone and curb the excessive use of airpower will allow the military forces involved in the conflict to continue committing violations against civilians. We call upon the international community to take urgent action to end these violations and ensure that those responsible for these heinous crimes, driven by regional and ethnic motives, are held accountable for their actions, which aim at ethnic cleansing and racial discrimination.
