Sudan civil war: Army Chief Burhan orders investigation into alleged killings in Gezira

Madani Ward, which is 87 miles (140km) south of the capital, Khartoum, fell to the RSF about a year ago. The military regained control on Saturday.

The city became a strategic crossroads, connecting several countries through key supply highways. It is also the closest major city to Khartoum.

A Sudanese human rights group accused the military of going on a rampage, killing at least 13 people in Camp Taiba, a village about 20km away.

The UN humanitarian chief in Sudan, Clementine Nkweta-Salami, said she was deeply concerned about reports of reprisal attacks against civilians in Gezira “based on alleged affiliation or ethnicity”.

US special envoy for Sudan Tom Perriello called the report “appalling” and urged the army and allied groups to investigate and take responsibility.

General Burhan said he had set up a committee to investigate the alleged killings at Camp Taiba, and had asked for a report back within a week.

He did not comment on the issues raised by South Sudan, and whether the investigation would focus on alleged atrocities elsewhere in Gezira.

South Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it had received a “comprehensive report” from its embassy in Sudan “describing the unfortunate incident that caused casualties among our innocent citizens, who maintain non-combatant status”.

The military has previously accused the RSF of hiring South Sudanese “mercenaries” to fight on its side.