Damazin, July 27 (Darfur24)
A joint security cell in Damazin, Blue Nile Region, has launched a sweeping arrest campaign targeting civilians accused of collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), spying and photographing sensitive sites without authorisation, according to residents and eyewitnesses.
Residents told Darfur24 that the campaign, which began in June, is continuing, with security forces detaining people suspected of the alleged offences. While some detainees have been released after several days of questioning, others remain in custody.
A resident, speaking on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the security cell has arrested hundreds of civilians since its establishment on accusations of collaborating with the RSF and providing information to what authorities describe as the “enemy.”
The source added that people arriving from other states are also detained and questioned about the reasons for their travel, before some are released after investigations.
According to the resident, dozens of people were arrested in June alone. While some have since been referred to trial on the same charges, the whereabouts of others remain unknown.
In posts published on its Facebook page, the Blue Nile security cell said it had launched a campaign to combat what it described as “negative phenomena,” announcing the arrest of a number of alleged collaborators with the “enemy” and people accused of photographing vital and sensitive sites in violation of existing regulations.
Another resident told Darfur24 that the campaign is being led by Colonel Mutawakkil Mohammed Abdul Rahman, head of the Blue Nile security cell, with the participation of personnel from the General Intelligence Service, military intelligence, the Criminal Investigation Department, and the military police.
The source said security forces arrested civilians during July from Damazin’s Popular Market, the Grand Market, and residential neighbourhoods, while also searching mobile phones, describing the measures as a violation of civilians’ rights.
According to the source, some detainees have since been released, but dozens remain in custody without being brought before a court.
Residents also said security personnel are stationed at the eastern entrance to Damazin from Sennar, as well as at other entry points to the city, and conduct weekly security operations in nearby Al-Rusayris.
This version is slightly tighter, avoids implying unverified claims as fact, and maintains Darfur24’s neutral reporting style.