Residents of Kab al-Jadad in Al-Kamilin locality, Gezira State, have issued urgent appeals after a series of security incidents linked to the spread of weapons among armed groups operating around the town, according to local residents and security sources.
The armed groups involved — the Sudan Shield Forces and the Joint Forces — are militia formations aligned with General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan’s Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). Several factions within these groups are also widely viewed as being linked to elements of the Sudanese Muslim Brotherhood, also known as the Sudanese Islamic Movement, which has played a major role in mobilizing auxiliary fighters to support the SAF during the war.
Residents said the presence of armed fighters from Sudan Shield and Joint Forces units in nearby settlements has heightened fears of deteriorating security conditions. Locals reported repeated security incidents over recent weeks that have raised tensions in the area.
Security officials said a joint unit from the intelligence service and police intervened two days ago to contain an incident that nearly escalated into an armed confrontation. The situation began after a young man was detained at a checkpoint belonging to Sudan Shield forces while allegedly carrying a quantity of bango, a locally known form of cannabis.
According to security sources, the suspect told authorities he had orders to move from Kassala State to the Kombo Four area of Kab al-Jadad.
The suspect was initially detained by Sudan Shield fighters. However, a group of armed men from the Joint Forces reportedly arrived on around 15 motorcycles and demanded that he be handed over.
The request was eventually granted.
Sources said the same individual later returned and assaulted a shop owner near the checkpoint, accusing him of reporting the drug incident to authorities. The shop owner was injured and taken to hospital for treatment.
The assault prompted Sudan Shield fighters to mobilize in an attempt to arrest the suspect, who was reportedly being protected by members of the Joint Forces.
Security personnel from the intelligence service and police later intervened to defuse the situation and prevent clashes between the rival militia groups.
Authorities have opened formal criminal complaints against the suspect who was previously detained with the narcotics.
Local officials warned that the security situation in Kab al-Jadad requires stronger policing and increased patrols, noting that the area has previously experienced activity by armed groups aligned with the SAF.
Officials said 18 security checkpoints are currently deployed around the town to monitor movement and control armed elements. However, they warned that the continued proliferation of weapons among pro-SAF militias without effective regulation could further escalate tensions and threaten stability in the region.
