A renewed wave of killings and armed robberies has been reported in Nyala, South Darfur, after several months of relative calm attributed by residents to expanded security deployments and checkpoints across the city.
Local Sudanese media, citing residents who spoke to Darfur24, reported three killings linked to robbery over the past week in different neighbourhoods and commercial areas.
Among the victims was a street vendor identified as Mohammed, who was stabbed to death with a bladed weapon while returning from Nyala’s Popular Market on Thursday evening.
In a separate incident on Friday, unidentified gunmen attacked the imam of a mosque in southern Nyala in broad daylight, leaving him with a fractured right leg.
Residents also reported an increase in armed criminal gangs using motorcycles to target people returning home from work during the evening.
Women and girls have increasingly been targeted by groups snatching handbags or threatening victims with knives inside residential areas and markets, according to local sources.
Groups specialising in robbery have reportedly become particularly active around Nyala’s main market, Congo Street and the public transport station near Nyala Teaching Hospital.
The latest incidents follow months of relative improvement in security after the Rapid Support Forces expanded checkpoints, patrols and command-and-control operations across the South Darfur capital.
TASIS and RSF authorities have repeatedly said restoring public security and civilian life in Nyala is a priority. A large gathering in the city earlier this week also highlighted what organisers described as improving stability and recovery.
However, the latest reports indicate that criminal activity remains a challenge despite the broader security measures.
There was no immediate statement from TASIS authorities or the RSF on the reported killings, and the identities or affiliations of those responsible have not been established.
Nyala serves as the administrative capital of the TASIS-led Government of Peace and Unity and is one of the largest population and commercial centres in Darfur.
