Kadugli, February 18 (Darfur24)
Security authorities in Kadugli, the capital of South Kordofan state, have launched a wide-scale arrest campaign targeting civilians suspected of spying for the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-North.
The arrests come days after the city was subjected to heavy drone bombardment believed to have been carried out by the Rapid Support Forces and allied Popular Movement forces.
Local sources told Darfur24 that military intelligence units conducted raids last week, detaining several citizens. Some were released within hours, others the following day, while several detainees reportedly spent up to three days in custody.
According to the sources, Hassan Balandiya and Abuzar Daoud were released an hour after their arrest on February 14. Mohamed Rizqallah, Salah Jalal, and Shams El-Din were freed the next day, while Mohamed Al-Karouri was released on Tuesday after three days in detention.
The sources added that additional detainees remain in custody, though their identities and numbers have not yet been confirmed.
Kadugli has also been experiencing a prolonged communications blackout after authorities banned the use of the Starlink satellite internet service following the army’s entry into the city and the lifting of a siege.