Wad Madani / Sennar, December 16 (Darfur24)
An investigation by Sudan War Monitor, in collaboration with Lighthouse Reports, has documented organized military campaigns by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied groups against unarmed civilians living in Kanabi settlements in Al-Jazira and Sennar states, following the withdrawal of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) from the region.
The investigation reports widespread killings, mass arrests, torture, forced displacement, and the destruction of homes between October 2024 and January 2025. Those affected were civilians residing in Kanabi settlements—agricultural labor communities that include people from diverse backgrounds, many of whom have lived in the area for generations.
Based on field interviews, satellite imagery, verified video material, and testimonies from witnesses and military sources, the investigation found evidence of systematic targeting linked to place of residence and perceived affiliation. United Nations reports have warned that some of these violations may amount to war crimes.
Investigators documented mass killings in western Wad Madani after SAF forces entered the city on January 12, 2025. Witnesses and military sources said civilians from nearby Kanabi settlements were detained on accusations of collaborating with the RSF, with many reportedly killed shortly after arrest. Bodies were allegedly dumped into the Nile and irrigation canals or buried in mass graves near Bika Bridge and the Wad Al-Na’eem area.
The attacks later spread to Al-Hasahisa and eastern Al-Jazira, where more than 16 Kanabi settlements were reportedly targeted. Homes were burned, property looted, and residents forcibly displaced. Survivors described indiscriminate shootings and arrests by SAF-aligned forces and local armed groups. Some witnesses reported the use of demeaning language against residents, reflecting stigmatization rather than individual culpability.
A UN fact-finding mission documented at least 40 civilian deaths in attacks on Kanabi settlements between January 9 and 12, 2025, including children. The mission reported that most residents were forced to flee and were prevented from returning to their homes.
The investigation alleges that the attacks were coordinated through senior military and security structures, with local armed groups mobilized and supplied to carry out operations. Government buildings, factories, and universities were reportedly converted into detention and interrogation sites.
Displaced residents interviewed said their primary demand is safe return to their homes and farmland, while others called for accountability for the violations committed. Although the army announced an investigation into events in Kombo Tayba, no findings have been made public.
Satellite imagery analysis showed a sharp decline in cultivated land across Al-Jazira, with farmers estimating that more than 30 percent of farmland has been abandoned due to displacement and insecurity.