Another catastrophic week in Al-Fashir!
NORTH DARFUR- In the week of October 10 to 16, Al-Fashir endured another period without food, streets lined with bodies awaiting burial, prices beyond imagination, camps without shelter, collapsed health services and a steady death toll.
The Abu Shouk camp was emptied after residents fled to inner neighbourhoods and to shelters struck repeatedly. Abu Shouk, media officer for emergency operations in Al-Fashir Mohammed Adam told Atar that emergency kitchens ceased operations as markets lay barren; the city faces severe shortages of food and essentials.
A local source told Atar that food supplies vanished from markets while residents turned to bakeries searching for expired flour and scant salt left in ovens. One kilogramme of rice cost 180,000 Sudanese pounds in cash payments and 360,000 by bank transfer; a sack of “ambaz” animal feed got to 60,000 pounds; flour was sold for 450,000 while sugar fetched 250,000 pounds.
Atar continues monitoring the besieged city. Below is a chronology of the week’s events:
Friday, October 10
The North Darfur Observatory for Human Rights said the city suffered a heavy drone attack by Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that targeted civilian shelters, including Dar Al-Arqam shelter and Omdurman Islamic University. At least 30 civilians, including whole families, were recorded dead.
Saturday, October 11
The Al-Fashir Resistance Committees’ Coordination announced what it called the Dar Al-Arqam massacre, saying more than 60 civilians were killed after the school was struck by two strategic drones and more than eight artillery shells.
Sunday, October 12
The city endured heavy artillery bombardment on neighbourhoods and shelter centres, with communal kitchens halting due to exhausted food stocks.
Monday, October 13
The Sudan Doctors Network announced the death of physician Omran Ismail Adam as he worked at the Abu Qarron clinic, which was hit by Rapid Support Forces. The strike wounded three others with varying injuries.
Tuesday–Thursday, October 14–16
The three days were calmer than the preceding ones and Al-Fashir saw relative stability. Mohammed Khamis Duda, the spokesperson for Zamzam camp, told Atar that, though limited exchanges of fire occurred Tuesday morning around 8am, they did not last long.
For more detailed coverage of the besieged city, read “Al-Fashir: What comes after the airdrop?” in this issue.
Drones return to Northern State and Khartoum
KHARTOUM- Suicide and strategic drone bombs resumed strikes on areas held by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and its allies over the past two days. Local officials in Ed Debba said a strategic drone strike at dawn on Tuesday killed five people and wounded others, whose identities were not disclosed, and that the engineering college was hit; Sudan Tribune, citing field sources, said the targeted site lay within an area where military units are stationed.
At the same time, Ed Babiker suburb in East Nile locality was struck by four drones across several sites, killing a doctor and wounding two of his sons.
In the early hours of Wednesday, suicide and strategic drone attacks resumed in Khartoum State, hitting a camp in Bahri as well as the Sirkab and Khalid bin al-Walid camps north of Omdurman, producing loud explosions. Authorities gave no figures for casualties or damage.
A military source told Atar of human and material losses at Khalid bin al-Walid camp. Neither the Rapid Support Forces nor the Tasis Coalition claimed the strikes.
These were the first such attacks in months, even as drone warfare continues on combat fronts, particularly in Kordofan, a source from joint forces allied with the army told Atar.
And in Al Fasher and Nyala in Darfur, Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab released satellite images near Nyala Airport that show an array of 43 drones, some with estimated ranges of 2,000 to 2,500 kilometres.
Cholera and dengue cases fall; malaria rises nationwide
A report presented at the Federal Emergency Operations Centre’s 111th meeting showed declines in cholera and dengue cases, while malaria infections increased. There were 3,473 dengue cases in eight states, including 29 deaths. The highest counts were in Khartoum, Al-Jazirah, Kassala and White Nile.
Cholera cases totaled 611 across 15 states, the highest being in North Kordofan, followed by South Kordofan, South Darfur, Central Darfur and East Darfur. Malaria cases hit 50,000.
A pharmaceutical supply report noted uneven stocks of epidemic medicines at state warehouses. The health minister said current emergency medical supplies amount to about 27 billion pounds and would cover only three months, while total needs were estimated at $100 million.
Vector-control campaigns continue in several states.
Meteorological authority issues Orange warning for parts of Kordofan and Darfur
KORDOFAN, DARFUR- The General Meteorological Authority issued an Orange alert (high risk/ take action), warning of heavy rains and thunderstorms in western South Kordofan, southern West Kordofan and the far southeast of East Darfur, urging residents to open drains and avoid crossing flowing waterways on foot or horseback.
Hearing in the murder case of West Darfur governor Khamis Abkar
RED SEA- The Anti-Terrorism and Crimes Against the State Court held a witness session in the murder case of former West Darfur Governor Khamis Abkar against Rapid Support Forces leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo “Hemedti” and other commanders in absentia, and set October 23 as the date to file final submissions by public prosecution and private plaintiffs for the heirs. Khamis was killed on June 14, 2023, in El Geneina, West Darfur.
Human rights groups condemn death sentence for Sudanese lawyer
SENNAR – The Sudanese Human Rights Observatory has condemned the October 5, 2025, ruling by the Sennar Criminal Court sentencing lawyer Abu Bakr Mansour to death by hanging, describing it as “a miscarriage of fair trial guarantees and a challenge to the rule of law.”
In a statement received by Atar, the Observatory said the verdict was issued without notifying the defense team and in violation of a Court of Appeal decision, which constitutes a breach of the right to defense and judicial independence. The Observatory also denounced the arrest of lawyer Abu Bakr Al-Mahi, a member of the defense team, calling it an assault on the legal profession and an undermining of the right to defense.
Mansour’s family stated that the verdict caused severe psychological distress to his children, adding that he was well known for his humanitarian work with the ‘Nidaa Sinjah’ organization and for staying in the city to care for his elderly parents.
The Observatory demanded the immediate annulment of the death sentence, a retrial before an independent judicial panel, and the release of lawyer Abu Bakr Al-Mahi. It also called for a transparent investigation and accountability for those responsible for the violations, stressing that Sennar authorities bear full responsibility for the safety of both lawyers.
The Observatory further urged international human rights organizations to take swift action to monitor the case and pressure the Sudanese authorities to end these grave violations of justice and human rights.
Campaigns to remove informal housing in Khartoum State
KHARTOUM- The Land Protection and Violations Removal Agency completed placing demolition warning notices in Jebel Awliya and Ombada localities for informal settlements in Gubosh, Banteo, Mandela and Qalb al-Asad south of Khartoum, and in Ombada areas, including Al-Azba, Dar Al-Salam and Block 58 Abu Ryal. The Agency’s director Abdulaziz Abdullah said removal operations will begin immediately after the notice period expires.
Earlier in March, Khartoum authorities launched similar clearance campaigns in Al-Azba (Bahri), Abu Saad, East Nile, and Al-Halfaya. These operations have drawn strong criticism from rights groups, who argue that demolishing informal housing amid the ongoing war and mass displacement exacerbates the suffering of vulnerable communities and violates basic humanitarian principles.
Ban on collecting, buying and selling scrap within Khartoum State
KHARTOUM- The Coordination Committee for Local Security Affairs in Khartoum locality banned collecting, buying, selling and storing scrap within the locality’s geographic boundaries after its 27th meeting. The committee said it found several traders dealing in scrap at the Fish Market and Satoor neighbourhood, operating in both local and central markets, and ordered judicial and security authorities to pursue legal action immediately.
It also banned vehicles loading household goods and merchandise, the towing and removal of disabled cars and their transport between 5pm and 5am, and ordered the closure of all viewing clubs and cafés in the locality.
Drones and artillery in Kordofan
A drone strike killed a woman and wounded others in Al-Nahud town in West Kordofan, near the home of the Dar Hamr tribal chief. According to media reports, the drone belonged to the SAF.
The town has been under Rapid Support Forces control since May and has seen growing displacement due to air strikes and insecurity.
The Sudan Doctors Network reported 11 wounded, three critically, after artillery fired by the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement–North, allied with the RSF, hit Dalang in South Kordofan. Dallami also suffered drone attacks that killed civilians.
Darfur24 cited local traders who reported seeing twenty military vehicles belonging to the RSF on Dalang’s eastern outskirts, and social media video clips appeared to show RSF soldiers striking the town.
The Sudanese army conducted aerial droppings last Friday on Dalang and Kaduqli, towns under a twin siege by the RSF and the SPLM–North, producing severe humanitarian conditions. Media reports said SPLM–North forces prevented families and students from leaving areas under their control.
Displacement and shelling in North Darfur
The International Organisation of Migration (IOM) field teams reported that 250 people fled Karnoi locality in North Darfur after deadly clashes between tribal elements, with most crossing into Chad. The incidents killed at least 19 people.
Radio Dabanga reported that an air strike by the Sudanese Air Force on El Kouma in North Darfur killed about 20 civilians and seriously wounded others. Dabanga sources said the strike targeted a social gathering.
Death of folk singer Abdullah Mohamed
Folk singer Abdullah Mohamed died last Wednesday after a prolific career of creativity and service in music. Abdullah leaves a rich musical legacy. He was among the founders of the Popular Singing Union in the 1960s alongside several artists and enriched the national songbook with well-known pieces such as “Ghadar al-Zaman” and “Al-Haneen Al-Bayy Leih Ma Qaddaruh,” both popularised by the late Mahmoud Abdel Aziz.
Cartoonist Khalid Al-Baih nominated for Freedom of Expression award
Sudanese artist and cartoonist Khalid Al-Baih has been shortlisted in the arts category, Index on Censorship announced. The group awards freedom of expression prizes to courageous defenders of free speech worldwide. His nomination drew international attention. The 25th awards ceremony will take place in London on November 19.
Sudan national football team loses World Cup qualifying chance, Al Hilal to play without fans
Sudan national football team ended its World Cup qualifying campaign with a 0-2 loss to the Democratic Republic of Congo on Tuesday night. The defeat ended their qualification hopes entirely.
Earlier, Sudan drew 0-0 with Mauritania in Tanzania last Friday, eliminating any remaining hope of finishing second, while Senegal topped the group after a 4-0 win over Mauritania.
In the Confederation of African Football (CAF) Champions League action, it was announced that Al Hilal’s second-round first-leg against Kenya’s Police FC will be played behind closed doors at Ulinzi Stadium in Langata on Friday at 2 pm, Sudan time. Al Hilal’s roster was completed with the arrival of national team members and club professionals returning from international duty, the last of whom was Burundi’s Jean Claude.
On Thursday, Nairobi received the body of Kenya’s former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who died Wednesday in India, prompting a postponement until CAF confirmed the fixture would proceed without spectators, stressing the rules behind its decision. The return leg is scheduled at the Martyrs of Benina Stadium in Benghazi, Libya, Al Hilal’s virtual home, on October 24.
Three medals for Sudan at Zone 3 swimming championship
Three Sudanese swimmers won gold and bronze medals at the African Zone 3 Championship in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, which opened on Thursday and runs for four more days.
Sudan’s swimmer Ziad Salim claimed the gold in the 200-metre backstroke, marking Sudan’s first gold in this regional competition; his coumpatriot Adam Shika won gold in the 800-metre freestyle, and Sudanese swimmer Rana Hani took bronze in the girls’ 800-metre freestyle.
Sudan’s team competes with five swimmers: three men and two women. Ziad Salim races in backstroke events and other distances, while Adam Ahmed contends in freestyle races. Rana swims both freestyle and butterfly, and Janna Wisen also represents Sudan in freestyle events and competed with determination and national pride.
