Khartoum: Rhino – On Friday evening, the city of Wad Madani, capital of Al-Jazirah State, witnessed heightened security tensions following clashes in the Nasser neighborhood, which resulted in more than 12 people being injured, including children, according to eyewitnesses from the city in press statements.

Witnesses reported that an armed group affiliated with the Sudan Shield militia entered the neighborhood late at night, causing chaos and attacks on residents and property, noting the use of small arms and live ammunition, as well as sharp instruments.

Residents stated that the events began following a dispute between two individuals within the neighborhood, before escalating into wider clashes that resulted in multiple injuries, some of whom were transported to medical facilities within the city.

Witnesses added that a vehicle belonging to the Sudan Shield arrived at the scene equipped with heavy weapons in an attempt to contain the situation, but tensions escalated as the crowd grew, amid gunfire into the air between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m.

According to a statement by the Sudan Shield militia, the tension began in the Dardag area as a result of a dispute between one of its members and a citizen over the ownership of a motorcycle, before escalating later.

Local sources reported that military police affiliated with the First Division of the Armed Forces intervened later and arrested several members of the Sudan Shield, including an officer with the rank of major.