February 25, 2026 | Mellit, Tawila, Tina, and Mustariha
Several areas in North Darfur State are witnessing a rapidly deteriorating security and humanitarian situation, amidst the ongoing armed conflict and the involvement of multiple warring parties. This report details a range of violations and developments on the ground that directly impact civilians’ rights to security, life, health, and livelihoods, focusing on the areas of Mellit, Tawila, Mustariha, and Tina.
First: The Spread of an Illegal Market and Risks to Civilians in Mellit:
Field sources from the Sudan Rights Watch Network report the existence of a market known locally as “Wagner Market,” located northwest of the main market in Mellit locality (formerly known as Al-Zarib Market). This market is reportedly a hub for widespread illegal activities, including:
- The buying and selling of looted goods from El Fasher.
- Open spaces designated for the sale of narcotics (marijuana) and psychotropic pills.
- The display and sale of various types of weapons and ammunition. Residents told the network’s field sources that the market has become a direct threat to their security. They reported armed robberies targeting citizens as they left the market, as well as numerous murders and injuries linked to its operations.
Information also indicates that the local authorities controlling the city, namely the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), have not taken effective measures to close the market since the outbreak of the war. Furthermore, there are reports that members of these same forces are overseeing its operations. This constitutes a serious breach of the controlling authority’s duty to protect civilians and prevent organized crime.
Secondly: A severe water crisis among displaced people in Tawila:
Tawila locality is experiencing a severe drinking water crisis, particularly in the new Dabba Nayra camp and the displaced persons’ settlements in Shakshko and Salablaba (west of the locality). The crisis is exacerbated by overcrowding resulting from recent waves of displacement, leading to a clear shortage of even the minimum amount of potable water.
Women and children spend long hours queuing for water in harsh weather conditions, especially during Ramadan. Residents warn that the continued water shortage threatens a health catastrophe, especially given the potential spread of waterborne diseases. The situation necessitates urgent intervention from humanitarian organizations to provide safe and sustainable water sources and ensure respect for the right to water as a fundamental human right.
Third: Military developments in Qadir and Tina:
Field sources reported that the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of the town of Qadir, located approximately 30 kilometers east of Tina, following the withdrawal of forces from the Sudanese Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) led by Jibril Ibrahim. Conversely, other reports indicate that a joint force seized vehicles belonging to the RSF, and videos circulating online show the complete expulsion of RSF forces from the Tina area. These developments reflect a fluid situation on the ground and a lack of security, which increases the risk of civilian casualties in the context of the ongoing military operations.
Fourth: Civilian Casualties and Destruction of Health Facilities in Mustariha:
Information from network sources indicates that armed clashes in the town of Mustariha resulted in the deaths of 28 civilians and injuries to 49 others, including 10 women. An unspecified number of casualties were also reported among the Awakening Council, in addition to injuries sustained by one of Musa Hilal’s sons. In a highly dangerous development, the town was subjected to a missile attack attributed to the Rapid Support Forces, which led to:
- The complete destruction of the town’s only health center.
- An attack on the medical staff working there.
- The arrest of a member of the medical team, whose fate remains unknown.
Targeting health facilities and medical personnel constitutes a serious violation of international humanitarian law, which guarantees special protection for medical facilities and personnel during times of conflict. Fifth: The humanitarian situation in Mustariha – a new wave of displacement:
The attack on Mustariha resulted in a large-scale displacement towards neighboring villages, with more than 2,690 people fleeing to Kabkabiya locality. They are facing deteriorating humanitarian conditions, including severe shortages of food, shelter, and basic services. This repeated displacement reflects the fragility of the civilian infrastructure and the lack of any real guarantees to protect the population from the consequences of military operations.
Sixth: Panic and Potential Displacement in Tawila:
A state of fear has gripped the residents of Tawila locality following statements attributed to the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) regarding their intention to advance towards the Jebel Marra region and then Tawila locality, which is controlled by the forces of Abdul Wahid Mohamed Nour. A number of citizens have begun preparing to leave the area, heading towards Mellit, Ad-Dabba, or Nyala, amidst soaring travel costs and a scarcity of transportation. This indicates the beginning of a preemptive displacement wave driven by fear of a potential attack, further straining host communities.
Seventh: The Situation of Families Stranded at the Southern Gate of Tawila:
Network sources report that approximately 209 families, including children, the elderly, and people with disabilities, are stranded in the vicinity of the southern gate of Tawila locality, without access to adequate humanitarian services. These families arrived from the areas of Tarra, Qabr al-Ghanam, and Abu Sakin, and were previously stationed at the northern gate before moving south. It was reported that the only organization to provide initial support was the Sudanese American Medical Society (SAMS), which supplied drinking water, in the absence of a comprehensive and organized intervention from other humanitarian organizations.
Policy Recommendations:
The facts presented in this report reveal:
- A rise in insecurity and organized crime.
- Continued targeting of civilians and healthcare facilities.
- A worsening humanitarian situation due to repeated displacement and a shortage of basic services.
- The failure of the controlling authorities to fulfill their obligations to protect civilians and maintain public order.
Therefore, the Sudan Rights Watch Network recommends:
- Opening independent and impartial investigations into the alleged violations, particularly those related to the targeting of civilians and health facilities.
- Taking urgent measures to close illegal markets and prevent the trafficking of weapons and drugs.
- Ensuring the protection of civilians in accordance with the principles of international humanitarian law.
- Immediate intervention by humanitarian organizations to provide water and basic services to displaced persons in Tawila, Mustariha, and Kabkabiya.
- Ensuring the immediate release of the detained medical personnel or disclosing their fate.
The continuation of these violations without accountability threatens further deterioration of the security and humanitarian situation and undermines the prospects for stability and the protection of civilians in North Darfur.
Sudan Rights Watch Network
February 25, 2026