Executive Summary
This report explores a pressing dimension of the ongoing conflict in Sudan—the systematic looting of civilians’ homes and property in Khartoum State at gunpoint. Since the eruption of violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 15 April 2023, civilian spaces have increasingly become theatres of unchecked violence and pillaging.
Amid repeated but unsuccessful regional and international mediation efforts, the conflict has continued to inflict severe humanitarian consequences, particularly in Khartoum State’s three urban centers: Khartoum, Bahri, and Omdurman. These areas, once bustling hubs of economic and administrative activity, now reel from the war’s devastation. The looting is attributed not only to the SAF but also to allied brigades and mobilized militias operating alongside them. The result has been the erosion of public trust and widespread displacement, with over 14 million people forced to flee, the majority from Khartoum.
The report highlights how acts of looting—once sporadic—have now become entrenched practices in areas newly captured by the army. This constitutes a direct violation of international humanitarian law, including provisions under the Geneva Conventions that prohibit attacks on civilians and their property. The situation calls for immediate international action: to protect Sudanese civilians, document violations, and ensure that those responsible are held accountable. A peaceful resolution to the conflict remains critical, and this report contributes to that call by documenting evidence and patterns of abuse.
Introduction
As the war between the SAF and RSF crosses into its second year, the humanitarian and security landscape in Sudan has continued to deteriorate. Khartoum State, the epicentre of political and economic life, has experienced an alarming surge in human rights violations—particularly the looting of private homes, businesses, and vital infrastructure by forces affiliated with the SAF.
Residents of Khartoum, Omdurman, and Bahri have recounted a disturbing trend: looting intensifies as the SAF regains territorial control from the RSF. These actions are not isolated but systemic, often executed at gunpoint and carried out by soldiers in uniform, alongside irregular forces and civilian recruits mobilized in support of the army. The immediate impact has been a deepening climate of fear and displacement, with many civilians forced to abandon their homes shortly after SAF gains control of new neighbourhoods.
This report draws from a range of sources, including direct testimonies, community reports, and local resistance committees, to map the scale and frequency of these violations. By centring the experiences of civilians and tracing the progression of looting across time and space, the report aims to contextualize the damage and underscore the urgent need for protection mechanisms.
Background
The first wave of systematic looting attributed to the Sudanese army and its allies began following the entry of forces loyal to Malik Agar, Deputy Chairman of the Sovereign Council, into Omdurman in May 2023. Initial reports emerged from the Thawra neighbourhoods in northern Omdurman, where the Army Engineers Corps, stationed in Al-Muhandiseen, allegedly orchestrated a network of coercion and theft. This included forcing public transportation operators to reroute through RSF-controlled areas, putting both drivers and passengers at risk.
Testimonies collected from these communities describe an increasingly hostile environment. Looting escalated significantly from November 2023 onward, as soldiers and allied forces began targeting homes, shops, and civilian facilities with greater boldness and regularity. These incidents have not only stripped civilians of their property but have also endangered lives, with many residents subjected to intimidation, assault, or forced displacement.
Although the army’s leadership initially dismissed these actions as isolated misconduct, reports from resistance committees, neighbourhood watch groups, and verified citizen recordings contradict that narrative. What began as sporadic occurrences have evolved into a pattern of behaviour that now defines army operations in occupied zones. The implications are grave—not only do they represent a breakdown in military discipline and civilian protection, but they also indicate the collapse of lawful authority in many parts of Khartoum State.
Nature and Pattern of Violations
The ongoing conflict in Sudan, particularly in Khartoum State, has given rise to a systematic pattern of human rights violations that continue to devastate civilian lives and livelihoods. This section explores the specific ways in which homes have been targeted by armed actors—most notably the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and affiliated groups—through calculated and sustained acts of looting, unlawful occupation, and intimidation.
Drawing from first-hand accounts, documented incidents, and consistent reports from affected communities, it highlights the deliberate nature of these abuses. Residential areas, once sanctuaries of safety and privacy, have been transformed into militarised zones of fear and exploitation. The violations described here not only underscore the collapse of law and order but also reflect broader strategies employed by armed groups to control territory, extract resources, and displace populations.
Through a detailed examination of the tactics used and the experiences of survivors, this analysis aims to expose the full scale and impact of these acts on Sudanese civilians, laying the groundwork for accountability and redress.
- Looting of Traders in Markets
On 15 August 2023, a disturbing incident unfolded at Sabreen Market, highlighting the vulnerability of traders to armed violence and lawlessness in conflict-affected areas. According to an eyewitness, two armed individuals dressed in Sudanese army uniforms—one wielding an AK-47 assault rifle and the other carrying a Goryunov machine gun—approached a group of merchants and shopkeepers operating within the market.
The eyewitness described a chaotic scene: one of the traders had already been shot in the hand and was visibly bleeding. When asked what had happened, the surrounding merchants explained that the armed men had demanded money at gunpoint. In an attempt to intimidate and force compliance, the soldiers fired live rounds, wounding at least two traders.
As concerned citizens nearby attempted to intervene and de-escalate the situation, the soldiers responded by loading their weapons and issuing stern warnings not to interfere. They then proceeded to forcibly take money from several merchants before fleeing the area.
Following the incident, the affected traders reported the attack to the Sabreen Market intelligence office. However, rather than helping or launching an investigation, the officials dismissed the matter, stating that such acts were “normal during wartime.” This response not only reflects a troubling normalization of violence but also underscores the impunity with which armed actors continue to operate, leaving civilians—particularly traders and small business owners—exposed and unprotected.
- Killing for Looting Purposes
There have been numerous reports and documented accounts of civilians losing their lives at the hands of armed individuals—many of whom were dressed in military uniforms—during incidents of looting. These are not isolated events, but rather part of a deeply disturbing pattern where looting is accompanied by excessive violence, including fatal shootings, physical assault, and armed intimidation.
Victims are often targeted while at home, at work, or during routine activities such as commuting. The perpetrators, commonly operating on motorcycles, employ the threat or use of lethal force to rob individuals of mobile phones, money, and other possessions. In several cases, any form of resistance—or even hesitation—has resulted in immediate and deadly consequences.
The following cases illustrate the gravity and frequency of these incidents, highlighting the growing insecurity facing civilians and the apparent erosion of trust in state security institutions.
In February 2024, at approximately 7:00 PM, two armed men on a motorcycle—wearing Sudanese army uniforms—approached a young man who was seated outside his home in Al-Thawra, District 19, near the local elementary school. The victim was quietly browsing his phone when the assailants demanded he hand it over. Upon his refusal, they shot him dead, seized the phone, and fled.
Shocked by the incident, the local community mobilised a response. Residents formed a neighbourhood committee and erected earth barricades across key entry points to restrict motorcycle access—vehicles often linked to these attacks. However, this measure led to unintended consequences.
On 20 June 2024, at around 8:00 PM, a resident and army officer entered the barricaded neighbourhood on a motorcycle with two colleagues. Mistaken for looters by the committee, the trio was pursued. During the chase, an army captain—himself a resident and member of the committee—opened fire, killing one of the men. This tragic case underscores the confusion, mistrust, and volatility that now define community security dynamics in such contexts.
In another alarming incident on 17 February 2025, at approximately 5:00 PM, two armed individuals on a motorcycle targeted a young man outside his home in Al-Thawra, District 34. When attacked, he threw his phone and some cash over the wall into his compound to prevent it from being stolen. In retaliation, the perpetrators shot him three times, fracturing his right leg, before fleeing the scene. They remain unidentified.
On 24 February 2025, witnesses in the Al-Abraj area of Omdurman reported that two men in Sudanese army uniforms intercepted a rickshaw at gunpoint. Inside were the driver and two passengers. The attackers forcibly confiscated the passengers’ phones and 100,000 Sudanese pounds.
When one passenger resisted, he was shot five times in the chest and died instantly. The rickshaw driver was also shot in both shoulders and rushed for emergency treatment. The assailants fled and were not apprehended.
Just four days later, on 28 February 2025, around 6:00 AM, a rickshaw driver was ambushed at the intersection of Al-Abraj and Dakwa Streets in Al-Waha. Three armed individuals, also dressed in military uniforms, shot him multiple times and killed him before stealing his phone and fleeing.
On 12 March 2025, two soldiers accompanied a local resident to a doctor’s home in Ombada Hamad Al-Nil, reportedly to collect identification documents. Instead, they stole two fans from the residence. The doctor, now residing in Al-Thawra, reported the incident, though no follow-up or accountability has been reported to date.
These incidents reflect a pattern in which looting is systematically accompanied by violence, creating a climate of fear and lawlessness. The use of military uniforms by perpetrators further complicates matters, raising serious concerns about impunity, infiltration, or direct involvement by elements within the armed forces. As a result, public confidence in security structures continues to deteriorate, with civilians left to bear the cost of unchecked violence and diminishing state protection.
- Looting of Universities
Educational institutions have not been spared in the widespread looting that has affected Sudan in recent months. Citizen witnesses confirmed that, in early February 2024, public universities became targets of theft and vandalism. The University of Khartoum’s Faculty of Education on Al-Wadi Street, Omdurman Islamic University, and Bahri University were all completely looted. Eyewitnesses reported that armed forces took control of these campuses, using them as military headquarters while looting all furniture and equipment, including university generators.
On March 12, 2024, during the Sudanese army’s recapture of the Radio and Television stations, Sudanese soldiers also looted the Holy Quran University and its dormitories near Nile Street. The stolen items were loaded onto army trucks and transported to the Karari camp, where they were later sold at the Sabreen Market by soldiers in full army uniform. This systematic looting has left many institutions of higher learning in ruin, further compounding the ongoing crisis in the country.
- Looting in Bahri City:
Interviews with victims and witnesses in Bahri city revealed that theft and looting in areas controlled by the army have escalated from isolated incidents to a widespread phenomenon, carried out collectively by army soldiers and members of their allied forces.
The situation began with the army’s entry into Bahri, where incidents of theft and looting of citizens’ homes spread rapidly. Large-scale thefts occurred in neighborhoods such as Shambat Al-Aradi, Al-Halfaya, Al-Safiya, and Kafouri, among others.
In some areas, like Kafouri, citizens were shot when they attempted to stop soldiers from looting their homes. A retired Brigadier General in the army was also shot for protesting the theft.
Several citizens who spoke to the Sudanese Alliance for Rights (SAR) reported discovering soldiers in their homes, stealing their belongings. When they objected, they were beaten, forced out, and threatened with death if they returned. Additionally, neighborhoods in Khartoum, including Jabra, experienced similar widespread looting and theft.
- Looting in East Nile and Al-Ahamda Areas:
Widespread incidents of theft and looting by the army and its allied forces have also been reported and confirmed in East Nile areas. Several citizens reported that soldiers prevented them from entering their neighborhoods, claiming that these areas were designated operational zones. However, it soon became apparent that the true intention was to allow these forces to seize citizens’ property.
Residents confirmed that neighborhoods in East Nile, including Al-Magharba, Al-Qadisiya, and parts of Al-Nasr and Al-Faiha, were cordoned off, while extensive looting took place, and residents were prevented from returning. Eyewitnesses detailed the stolen items, which included refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, televisions, and other electrical appliances, as well as, to a lesser extent, household furniture and cooking utensils.
The stolen goods were transported by various means, including cars, rickshaws (after removing their tarpaulins), motorcycles, animal-drawn carts (Karoos), and military vehicles or transport trucks. In some areas, the stolen items were stored inside homes, while in others, they were openly displayed for sale at the Al-Ahamda market in the Al-Doroshab area, north of Bahri. The scale of looting in these regions highlights the growing and systematic exploitation of the ongoing conflict, leaving many citizens without essential belongings and services.
- Claiming Illegal Fees at Checkpoints
Merchants operating in areas under military control are facing significant challenges due to the illegal fees imposed by army personnel at checkpoints, particularly on routes connecting Khartoum State to the River Nile, Northern, and Eastern States. At these checkpoints, soldiers stop cargo trucks carrying goods from these regions and demand payments that far exceed the legal requirements.
One truck driver shared that, despite paying taxes and zakat through official channels with the necessary documentation, they are still subjected to additional, exorbitant fees. If these fees are not paid, the goods are confiscated, and the truck is not allowed to proceed until the payment is made.
A merchant further explained that these illegal demands are repeated at every checkpoint the trucks pass through, placing a heavy financial burden on traders. To cover these extra costs, merchants are forced to increase the prices of their goods, ultimately passing the financial burden onto consumers. According to one merchant, these fees can reach as high as 200,000 Sudanese pounds at each checkpoint, exacerbating the economic hardships faced by businesses and communities.
- Weapon Rental and Drug Trade:
A deeply troubling practice has emerged in areas controlled by the Sudanese army in Khartoum, where a group of army personnel, including mobilized individuals, are renting weapons to criminals and armed robbers. This dangerous arrangement enables these individuals to carry out thefts, looting, and killings with greater ease and impunity. A source that SARs spoke to reported that renting an AK-47 rifle costs 50,000 Sudanese pounds per day or night, further exacerbating the violence in this region.
In addition to the illegal weapon scheme, there has been a disturbing trend of open drug dealing by army soldiers. Drugs, particularly Bango (a local form of cannabis), are being sold openly in major streets and markets, such as Al-Wadi Street near the intersection with District 30 and the southern entrance to Sabreen Market. Soldiers in uniform are seen openly displaying and selling these drugs, further compounding the lawlessness and corruption present in these areas.
Interviews conducted by our team have revealed a troubling and ongoing deterioration of security in areas controlled by the Sudanese army in Khartoum. Both victims and witnesses confirmed that any civilian or trader who attempted to resist army soldiers met with violent retaliation, often resulting in loss of life. Furthermore, in most incidents, the perpetrators were not held accountable for their actions, fostering a climate of impunity.
Based on data collected by our team, it has been strongly indicated that some army commanders, particularly those deployed in the field, frequently conceal the actions of their soldiers. It was also confirmed that military vehicles are being used to transport stolen property.
The investigation revealed that army personnel and their affiliates are not held accountable for looting and theft, despite numerous complaints from citizens and traders. This pattern suggests that the actions of army soldiers, joint forces, and mobilized individuals—such as killings for looting and the theft of civilian homes and property in Khartoum—are being carried out with the knowledge and implicit approval of their direct commanders.
This ongoing situation has led to widespread unrest, as citizens and traders continue to suffer from these criminal activities, leaving them increasingly vulnerable in an environment marked by impunity.
Violations of International Humanitarian and Human Rights Law
Both state and non-state actors have been implicated in acts that disregard the legal protections afforded to civilians, civilian objects, and essential infrastructure during armed conflict. The deliberate targeting of non-combatants, looting and destruction of property, obstruction of humanitarian access, and misuse of protected sites exacerbate the suffering of affected populations and constitute grave breaches of international law, raising concerns about accountability and justice.
The looting of homes, destruction of property, and unlawful seizure of civilian possessions violate Article 33 of the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949), which prohibits pillage under all circumstances. Looting is also prohibited under customary international humanitarian law and is recognized as a war crime under Article 8(2)(e)(v) of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (1998). This protection is designed to safeguard civilian dignity and private property, especially during times of vulnerability. Past jurisprudence, including the ICTY’s Blaškić case, confirms that even isolated or sporadic acts of looting can be prosecutable. The systematic looting in Khartoum, often conducted by uniformed personnel under threat of violence, indicates a pattern of war crimes meriting international accountability.
The Fourth Geneva Convention defines civilians as individuals not participating in hostilities. This status extends to civilian objects, including homes, places of worship, hospitals, schools, museums, and infrastructure like dams, bridges, water and electricity stations, markets, civilian airports, and transportation stations. International humanitarian law categorizes attacks on civilian objects as war crimes under Article 8 of the Rome Statute, with no statute of limitations or possibility of amnesty.
Article 52 of the 1977 Additional Protocol prohibits military attacks on civilian objects and actions that harm civilian lives, such as starvation or blocking humanitarian aid. The 1954 Hague Convention, responding to the destruction of cultural properties during World War II, mandates the protection of cultural sites from military use and looting. The 1999 Second Protocol extended protection to cultural objects.
The actions of the Sudanese army and its allied forces, including theft and looting of civilian homes and properties, clearly violate international humanitarian law, the Geneva Conventions, and their Additional Protocols. These laws prohibit attacks on civilians (Protocol I, Article 51; Protocol II, Article 13) and on essential objects for civilian survival (Protocol I, Article 54). Such actions are classified as war crimes under the Rome Statute.
Recommendations:
- Immediate International Intervention:The international community must take urgent action to address the ongoing violations in Khartoum State. This includes immediate efforts to protect civilians and safeguard critical infrastructure. The United Nations Security Council should prioritize the deployment of humanitarian aid and peacekeeping forces in the region. Further, urgent steps must be taken to restore order and prevent further violence, including the imposition of sanctions on those responsible for the violations.
- Accountability and Justice:It is essential that a thorough investigation and documentation of violations of international humanitarian law be conducted, focusing on the deliberate targeting of civilians, civilian infrastructure, and other protected objects. These violations must be rigorously documented to ensure accountability. The establishment of international criminal investigations, particularly by the International Criminal Court (ICC), should be expedited to bring those responsible for these egregious acts to justice. This will serve as a deterrent to future violations and ensure justice for the victims.
- Protection of Civilians:The United Nations and relevant international bodies must intensify their efforts to protect civilians in the conflict zones, especially within Khartoum’s three major cities. This may involve enforcing the principles of international human rights and humanitarian law more effectively. The deployment of peacekeeping forces, particularly those trained in the protection of civilians, is critical in mitigating the violence. Additionally, creating safe zones or humanitarian corridors where civilians can seek refuge is essential. Humanitarian organizations should be granted unrestricted access to provide aid to those in need.
- Regional Cooperation and Diplomacy:Regional organizations, particularly the African Union (AU), must play a central role in facilitating peace talks and mediating between the conflicting parties. The AU should be urged to take a more active stance in advocating for a ceasefire and a peaceful resolution to the conflict. Diplomatic initiatives should focus on ensuring the protection of civilians, restoring stability, and facilitating a political dialogue aimed at achieving long-term peace in Sudan. Regional cooperation can help ensure that both sides engage in meaningful dialogue and work toward a cessation of hostilities.
Conclusion:
The human rights violations in Khartoum State, perpetrated by the Sudanese army and its allied forces from April 15, 2023, to February 2025, are a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law and human rights standards. The systematic destruction of infrastructure, the deliberate targeting of civilian objects, and the indiscriminate killing of non-combatants demonstrate a blatant disregard for the protections established by the Geneva Conventions and other key international treaties.
These actions not only violate the core tenets of international humanitarian law but also constitute war crimes as defined by the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC). The crimes committed cannot be justified under the guise of military necessity, and they demand immediate international intervention to ensure accountability and justice.
The international community has a clear and urgent responsibility to address these violations. This includes taking decisive action to protect civilians, uphold international decisions aimed at safeguarding human rights, and reduce the harm inflicted upon innocent people. The restoration of peace and security in Sudan must be a priority, and impunity for such violations cannot be tolerated.
It is imperative that the international community fulfills its obligations to protect civilians and work towards the long-term restoration of peace and stability in Sudan. The people of Khartoum State, and civilians in conflict-affected areas throughout Sudan, deserve immediate protection and a guarantee that those responsible for these heinous acts will not go unpunished.
Methodology:
This report is based on a combination of direct interviews with victims, eyewitness accounts, and data from networks actively documenting human rights violations in Khartoum during the ongoing conflict. The sources include humanitarian organizations, local community groups, and human rights defenders with direct access to conflict zones. These interviews were conducted under conditions that ensured the anonymity and safety of victims and witnesses.
Additionally, the report integrates both qualitative and quantitative data to provide a well-rounded analysis of the situation. Eyewitness testimonies provide a human dimension to the crisis, while statistical data from various monitoring bodies offer insight into the scale and severity of the violations.
Visual documentation, including images and videos captured during the period of investigation, supports the findings and enhances the credibility of the report. These visuals serve as evidence of the widespread destruction and suffering caused by the ongoing conflict and violations.
Our team also reviewed reports from community committees, youth organizations, and local human rights monitors, whose efforts in documenting violations on the ground have been critical in painting a comprehensive picture of the crisis. Statements from both parties involved in the conflict, along with official government reports and UN assessments, were also analyzed to provide a balanced view of the situation.
The methodology adopted ensures a comprehensive and multi-source approach to documenting the violations and offers a detailed and credible account of the ongoing crisis in Sudan.
