Urgent Human Rights Report | August 5, 2026 | Zalingei
Sudan Rights Watch Network documented an armed attack in which unidentified gunmen targeted the home of Dr. Ijlal Ahmed Bakr, a dentist working at Zalingei Hospital, who resides in the Al-Muhafizin neighborhood of Zalingei, Central Darfur State. This incident comes amidst the continued deterioration of the security situation and the escalation of attacks targeting civilians in residential areas under the control of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the state since October 2023.
According to field information documented by the network’s sources in Central Darfur State, the attack occurred at approximately 2:00 AM on Friday, July 31, 2026, when four armed men stormed the victim’s home after arriving on two motorcycles. The gunmen were carrying Kalashnikov rifles, according to the victim’s testimony. Following the break-in, the perpetrators threatened the family members with firearms, terrorizing them before forcing them to hand over their belongings at gunpoint. The gunmen left the scene after the looting without any physical injuries being reported, but the attack left deep psychological scars on all family members.
The stolen items included personal mobile phones belonging to the victim and her family, an unspecified sum of money, gold jewelry of unknown value, and perfumes intended for the victim’s sister’s wedding. This represents a loss with significant social and psychological dimensions, in addition to its material value.
The victim and her family were subjected to fear and trauma as a result of being directly threatened with weapons inside their home, leading to a heightened sense of insecurity. Furthermore, the targeting of a doctor working in health facilities serving the civilian population exacerbates concerns about the safety of healthcare workers in Central Darfur State and threatens the continuity of health services in the fragile security environment. Legal Analysis of the Incident:
The facts documented in this report constitute a series of grave violations of fundamental rights guaranteed under national law and international human rights standards. The armed raid on the victim’s home at night violated the right to personal security and physical and psychological integrity. It also represents a direct attack on the sanctity of the home and the privacy of family life, rights that may only be infringed upon in accordance with the law.
The acts of forcibly entering the home, threatening with firearms, and seizing property by force are classified as serious criminal offenses that warrant a prompt and independent investigation, the prosecution of the perpetrators, and ensuring their accountability, along with redress for the victims.
In light of Sudan’s international obligations, the State has a duty of due diligence to prevent violations targeting civilians, take the necessary measures to protect them, conduct effective and impartial investigations into crimes, and ensure that perpetrators do not escape punishment. This obligation extends beyond simply refraining from committing violations; it also includes providing effective protection to persons under its jurisdiction. This attack is particularly serious given that the victim was a healthcare worker, a sector afforded special protection under international humanitarian law in armed conflicts, due to the vital role healthcare workers play in ensuring access to healthcare for the civilian population. Therefore, their exposure to intimidation, violence, or attacks negatively impacts the ability of healthcare institutions to continue providing services and directly affects the population’s enjoyment of the right to health.
This incident also reflects alarming indicators of the deteriorating security environment in Zalingei, where armed attacks are now extending into homes. This undermines the sense of security and affects the ability of civilians, including doctors and essential service workers, to continue their work and reside safely in their communities.
Policy Recommendations: In light of this situation, Sudan Rights Watch Network calls for and recommends the adoption of a package of urgent measures to address this pattern of violations, as follows:
- Launch an immediate, independent, and transparent criminal investigation into the incident, identify the perpetrators, and bring them to justice, while publishing the investigation’s findings to enhance public confidence in the justice system.
- Strengthen the preventive security presence in residential neighborhoods of Zalingei, while developing rapid response mechanisms for reports of armed attacks.
- Develop a specific plan to protect healthcare workers and staff at medical facilities, as they are essential service providers upon whom the civilian population relies during times of crisis.
- Establish a regular mechanism for monitoring and documenting attacks on healthcare workers and including them in official reports on the protection of civilians.
- Provide psychosocial and legal support services to victims and their families to ensure addressing the long-term effects of exposure to armed violence.
- Combat the proliferation of illicit weapons and reduce the use of motorcycles in committing armed crimes through effective legal and security measures that respect human rights.
- Call upon international partners, UN missions, and humanitarian organizations to strengthen programs for the protection of civilians and support capacity building for law enforcement institutions in conflict-affected areas, in accordance with international human rights standards. 8. We call upon civil society organizations and independent national mechanisms to continue monitoring and documenting these violations, and to issue periodic reports that contribute to strengthening accountability and reducing impunity.
Sudan Rights Watch Network
Tuesday, August 4, 2026