Sudan: More than 100 killed and women abducted as intercommunal violence escalates in South Darfur

Background

Since the outbreak of armed conflict in Sudan in April 2023, local and tribal conflicts have intensified across several regions of the country, particularly in Darfur. The collapse of state institutions, the proliferation of weapons, mass displacement, and the absence of effective civilian protection mechanisms have created conditions that have fueled recurring intercommunal violence.

In South Darfur State, longstanding tensions between the Bani Halba and Salamat communities have repeatedly erupted into violence over land ownership, access to resources, and displacement-related grievances. Previous clashes between the two communities in September 2023 resulted in deaths, displacement, and the occupation of agricultural lands, leaving underlying disputes unresolved despite mediation efforts.

On 30 May 2026, armed clashes resumed between members of the Bani Halba and Salamat communities in the Rewina area, Kabum locality, South Darfur State. The violence occurred in an area within the territory controlled by the Sudan Founding Alliance (Tasis).

Sources provided differing accounts regarding the events that triggered the fighting. According to one source, the clashes began after members of the Salamat community were accused of stealing cattle belonging to a member of the Bani Halba community in Rewina. A group of Bani Halba volunteers reportedly pursued the alleged cattle thieves but were ambushed, resulting in the immediate killing of four Bani Halba members.

Another source reported that members of the Salamat community had returned to Rewina to prepare their farms ahead of the rainy season after being displaced during the September 2023 clashes. Upon their return, they reportedly discovered that others had occupied their land. A dispute allegedly ensued, during which armed Bani Halba members opened fire, triggering wider hostilities.

The fighting quickly escalated and continued for three days. Reliable sources reported that at least 100 people, including women and children, were killed. Videos circulated on social media appeared to show fighters from both sides carrying various weapons, including Kalashnikov rifles, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and heavy machine guns mounted on vehicles. Some combatants were also reportedly wearing uniforms associated with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

During the second day of the fighting, a drone attack reportedly targeted Kabum town, dropping three explosive devices. Eyewitnesses informed ACJPS that the drone appeared to have approached from the direction of Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State. However, the identity of those responsible for the attack remains unknown. The strike reportedly killed 16 civilians, including members of the same extended family, women, and children.

The victims were identified as:

1. Mohamed Abdullah Ahmed

2. Zaki Abdul Monim Abdullah Ahmed

3. Rimisa Abdul Monim Abdullah Ahmed

4. Rowida Abdul Monim Abdullah Ahmed (child)

5. Mujaheed Mahmoud Abu Kafa

6. Ali Isa Fadil

7. Saif Eldien Adam

8. Hammed Alnadeef

9. Fantasia Ibrahim

10. Aisha Hussain Hamed

11. Yasir Adam Hamed

12. Nanayah Adam Daoud

13. Samir Ibrahim (child)

14. Mohamed Ibrahim (child)

ACJPS has not been able to independently verify the party responsible for the drone strike.

Abductions and mass displacement

Reliable sources informed ACJPS that the violence was accompanied by serious human rights violations, including the abduction of women. At least ten women from the Bani Halba community were reportedly abducted by Salamat fighters and taken from Kabum locality to unknown destinations. ACJPS documented the identities of the victims but is withholding their names for protection and privacy reasons.

The violence also resulted in large-scale displacement. An estimated 700 families were forced to flee their homes and seek refuge in Wastani, Artalla, Rewina, Zalingei, Mukjar, and Reheid Al-Birdi. Some displaced families reportedly crossed into neighbouring Chad in search of safety.

Previous mediation efforts

The renewed violence follows mediation efforts undertaken in 2024 to address the consequences of the September 2023 clashes between the two communities. Sources indicated that the RSF facilitated negotiations involving tribal leaders, including Musa Hilal, a prominent leader of the Mahameed clan of the Rizeigat community.

The resulting agreement reportedly included provisions for compensation payments, reopening roads, and the safe return of displaced Salamat families to their areas of origin. However, sources indicate that several aspects of the agreement were never fully implemented, leaving key grievances unresolved and contributing to the renewed outbreak of violence.

Rising ethnic tensions in eastern Sudan

At the same time, concerns emerged over escalating tensions in Kassala State in eastern Sudan between members of the Hadandawa and Bani Amir communities. According to local sources, tensions were fuelled by inflammatory public statements allegedly made by Mohamed Alamin Tirik, a prominent Beja leader, during a press conference in Kassala. Community leaders and local actors reportedly intervened to prevent the dispute from escalating into armed violence.

Commenting on these developments, Mohamed Badawi, Director of the Monitoring Programme at ACJPS, noted that both incidents coincided with political discussions taking place in Addis Ababa aimed at advancing a negotiated solution to Sudan’s ongoing conflict. He observed that the timing of these tensions raises concerns regarding attempts to exploit local divisions and underscores the complex, multi-layered nature of Sudan’s conflict, which extends beyond the confrontation between major armed actors to include local and intercommunal dynamics.

Conclusion 

The renewed violence in South Darfur highlights the continuing deterioration of security and civilian protection across Sudan. The killings, reported drone attack, abductions of women, and large-scale displacement demonstrate the severe humanitarian and human rights consequences of unresolved intercommunal tensions in a context marked by state collapse and ongoing armed conflict. The failure to fully implement previous peace agreements and mediation arrangements has contributed to the persistence of grievances and the recurrence of violence. Without meaningful accountability, protection mechanisms, and durable conflict-resolution measures, communities remain vulnerable to further cycles of violence and displacement.

Recommendations

ACJPS calls upon all parties involved in the conflict to immediately cease hostilities and refrain from targeting civilians or civilian infrastructure. 

ACJPS further urges:

1. Sudanese authorities and de facto authorities exercising territorial control to take immediate measures to protect civilians, particularly women, children, and displaced persons.
2. All armed actors to release abducted women and girls immediately and unconditionally and to ensure their safe return to their families.
3. Independent and impartial investigations into the reported killings, drone strikes, abductions, and other alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law.
4. Humanitarian organisations and international partners to provide urgent assistance to displaced families and affected communities.
5. Local leaders, community representatives, and mediators are to revive dialogue mechanisms aimed at addressing longstanding disputes over land, displacement, and access to resources.
6. The international community, including the United Nations and the African Union, to strengthen monitoring and reporting on human rights violations in Darfur and support initiatives that promote accountability and civilian protection.
7. All stakeholders involved in the Sudan peace processes to address the root causes of intercommunal violence and ensure that local conflicts are incorporated into broader efforts to resolve the Sudanese crisis.