SAR Condemns Killing of Four Cattle Traders Following Armed Looting in Kordofan.

The Sudanese Alliance for Rights (SAR) condemns the reported killing of four cattle traders in an armed looting incident in Kordofan on 22 October 2026. The incident comes amid escalating violence across the region, where civilians continue to bear the brunt of attacks, insecurity and disruption to their livelihoods.

Across Kordofan, civilians are facing growing risks as violence increasingly reaches residential areas, places sheltering displaced people, roads and other spaces essential to daily life. On 9 October, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that two drone strikes in West Kordofan killed at least 17 civilians, including women and children, many of whom had already been displaced by the conflict. On 22 October, separate drone attacks in South and North Kordofan reportedly killed another four civilians and injured at least six others.

Against this backdrop, the reported killing of four cattle traders highlights another dimension of the mounting threats facing civilians in Kordofan, particularly those who must travel to access markets and sustain their livelihoods.

According to Darfur24, the four traders were returning from Al Qafeel market when an armed group intercepted them on the road between Khud Al Warl and Rajul Al Marafai. The attackers reportedly looted their livestock and money before opening fire, killing all four men.

The victims have been identified as Badr Mohammed Badr, Muhammad Eid Ali, Al Taher Mohammed and El Tom Obaidallah.

SAR is particularly concerned by the reported sequence of events, in which civilians returning from a market were intercepted, deprived of their property and subsequently killed. Such attacks not only result in loss of life but also undermine civilians’ ability to move safely between communities, access markets and pursue essential livelihoods in areas already devastated by conflict.

The circumstances reported may constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law. Common Article 3 of the Geneva Conventions prohibits murder and violence against persons taking no active part in hostilities, including civilians. The unlawful taking of civilian property and the killing of civilians must be investigated promptly and impartially. Where violations are established, those responsible must be held accountable in accordance with applicable law.

The identity of the armed group responsible for the attack has not been independently established. SAR therefore refrains from attributing responsibility pending further evidence and verification.

SAR calls for a prompt, independent and impartial investigation into the killings, the reported looting of the traders’ livestock and money, and the circumstances surrounding the attack. The investigation should identify those responsible and, where sufficient evidence exists, ensure that perpetrators are prosecuted in accordance with applicable law. The families of the victims must also have access to justice, information and appropriate remedies.

Civilians should not have to risk their lives simply to travel between communities, access markets or earn a livelihood. All parties to the conflict must respect their obligations under international humanitarian law and take effective measures to protect civilians from killing, violence and unlawful deprivation of property.

SAR will continue to monitor and document attacks against civilians in Sudan, including violations affecting civilian movement and livelihoods, and will support efforts to preserve evidence and advance accountability for serious violations.

Sudanese Alliance for Rights (SAR), 23 October 2026