Sudan's RSF accused of abducting 150 youths for forced recruitment

The paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have been accused of abducting more than 150 young men and children in Sudan's South Kordofan state, according to a report from the Sudan Doctors Network released on Tuesday. The medical organization stated the mass kidnapping took place at the Al-Zallataya mine in Al-Abbasiya, northeast of South Kordofan, marking what they described as the first major violation of a unilateral humanitarian truce announced by the rebel forces.

Truce Violation and Alleged War Crimes

The Sudan Doctors Network characterized the incident as "a direct assault on civilians that amounts to war crimes and grave violations of international humanitarian law." The abduction occurred shortly after RSF commander Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo declared an immediate three-month humanitarian ceasefire on Monday, which included a commitment to halt all hostile actions. The medical group reported that the purpose of the mass kidnapping appeared to be forced recruitment into paramilitary ranks.

Expanding Recruitment Campaign and International Appeal

According to the statement, the RSF has launched additional forced recruitment operations in the same town alongside widespread looting of both residential areas and the local marketplace. The Sudan Doctors Network has placed full responsibility for the abductions on both the RSF and their allies from the al-Hilou faction of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement. They have urgently called for intervention from the international community and relevant regional bodies to stop the continuing violations in the region.