SAF, allied militias accused of burning kids alive in new allegations

Sudanese rights groups and political organizations have reported fresh violations allegedly committed by General al-Burhan’s forces (SAF) and allied militias against civilians in Gezira State, central Sudan.

The abuses, revealed Monday, include the burning of children, extrajudicial killings of men, and the abduction of women.

On Saturday, the SAF announced it had regained control of Wad Madani, the capital of Gezira State, following the withdrawal of Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which had occupied the city for over a year.

The Darfur Victims Advocacy Organization stated it had received messages on January 12 from residents of “Kombo Five” and Wad Madani, alleging that the army and allied groups—such as Kiql militias, the Al-Baraa bin Malik brigade, and the General Intelligence Service—had executed seven civilians on ethnic grounds.

The organization shared images purportedly showing the bodies of elderly victims dressed in civilian clothing.

Separately, Emergency Lawyers, a rights organization, reported continued attacks on Kombo Tayba village in Gezira. The assaults, allegedly carried out by SAF-linked forces, resulted in the deaths of 13 people, including two children, and the arrest of several civilians, including women.

In a statement on social media platform X, the group condemned the killings, abductions, and torture of civilians, describing them as violations of international humanitarian law and potential war crimes.

Targeted Attacks and Forced Displacement

The Kanabi Conference, a local advocacy group, reported that the violations included burning two children—Ahmed Issa and Hamid Mohammed—inside their homes, and the killings of five men, including a religious elder. The group also documented the abduction of 13 women and looting of property, crops, and livestock. Entire villages were reportedly burned, forcing residents into displacement.

“These atrocities amount to ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity, threatening the stability of Sudanese society,” the group stated, adding that attacks on civilians continue in Gezira and eastern Um Qurra.

Political and Civil Condemnation

Khalid Omar Youssef, a leader in the Civil Forces Coordination, denounced the attacks as a “revenge campaign” targeting civilians. He accused Sudan’s Islamist movement of fueling ethnic and political divisions, warning that such actions could plunge the country deeper into conflict.

The National Umma Party also condemned the “Kombo Tayba massacre,” holding military leadership accountable for failing to protect civilians and demanding an immediate investigation. The party warned against inciting further conflict in Gezira.

Footage of Alleged Abuses Circulates Online

Videos shared on social media purportedly show armed men in Sudanese military uniforms forcing civilians to sit on the ground, while one soldier seeks orders to execute them. The videos have sparked outrage and calls for accountability.

The reported incidents come amid a broader conflict between SAF and the RSF, which has devastated the country since April. Observers warn that escalating violence and retaliatory campaigns risk deepening ethnic and political divisions in Sudan.

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