On March 28, 2025, an unanticipated and violent attack was launched on the Al-Jomou’iya villages, situated in the South of Omdurman. As the RSF forces moved from Khartoum via the Jabal Awliya Reservoir, they descended upon the villages with a coordinated series of assaults. This report aims to document the unfolding events, the impact on local civilians, and the broader context of this ongoing crisis.
Eyewitnesses describe a scene of chaos and horror as the RSF, under the command of an officer known as Qajja, initiated a deliberate campaign of terror against the villages. Residents, many of whom were unarmed and unprepared, were caught in a relentless assault aimed at quelling any potential resistance. The attackers, moving with military precision, inflicted devastating casualties, leaving at least 33 civilians dead and many more injured. Survivors recount the harrowing sound of gunfire and the shock of a community under siege.
The sudden eruption of violence left the community in disarray. Many villagers, in a desperate bid for safety, fled their homes, leaving behind not only their possessions but also a deep sense of loss and vulnerability. The injured, many suffering from severe gunshot wounds and other traumas, faced critical delays in receiving medical care due to ongoing instability. Local residents described feelings of fear and abandonment as governmental protection remained absent in these turbulent hours.
The RSF’s actions are not isolated incidents but rather part of a broader pattern of behavior that has marked their operations in the region. Historically implicated in the Darfur conflict and the 2019 Sudanese coup, the RSF has repeatedly been linked to severe human rights violations. In this instance, their systematic targeting of civilians underscores a strategic intent to instill terror, suppress resistance, and consolidate power as they advance toward Omdurman.
Interviews with local residents reveal a community in mourning, yet resilient in the face of adversity. One villager, speaking under the condition of anonymity, noted, “We lost our loved ones, and the night seemed endless with fear. Our only hope is for the world to see what we have endured and to demand justice.” The shared sentiment among those who remained is one of deep betrayal by those who claimed to protect and by a system that has left them defenseless.
Calls for Accountability
Darfur Network for Human Rights, condemns the attack in the strongest terms. We call on the international community to take decisive action to ensure accountability and to provide urgent humanitarian aid to the affected families and stress that the deliberate targeting of civilians is a flagrant violation of human rights and demands that the perpetrators, as well as their supporting structures, be held accountable.
The events in the Al-Jomou’iya villages are a stark reminder of the brutal reality on the ground. The coordinated assault by the RSF has not only resulted in tragic loss of life but also exposed the fragility of civilian protection in regions engulfed by conflict. As the community grapples with its losses and the urgent need for support, the international call for justice and accountability grows ever louder.
