Rhino: Follow-up – Eyewitnesses and local sources in the city of Damazin, Blue Nile State, have revealed a widespread arrest campaign carried out by the joint security cell, targeting a number of citizens on charges of collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces.

According to witnesses who spoke to the press, the arrest campaign, which began last June, is still ongoing, with anyone suspected of being linked to these charges being detained and interrogated, while some detainees are released after several days in custody. Since its establishment, the security cell has arrested hundreds of civilians on charges of collaborating with the Rapid Support Forces and providing information to the enemy, as it describes it.

Colonel Mutawakkil Muhammad Abdulrahman, head of the Blue Nile security cell, is leading the arrest campaign in the city, with the participation of personnel from the intelligence service, the criminal investigation department, the military police, and intelligence agencies. The security cell is questioning individuals arriving from other states regarding the reasons for their arrival before releasing some of them.

During July, the security cell arrested a number of civilians from the Popular Market and the Grand Market, as well as residential neighborhoods, and searched citizens’ cell phones. Last month saw the arrest of dozens; the fate of some remains unknown, while others have been referred to trial on the same charges.

Forces affiliated with the security unit are stationed at the eastern entrance to Damazin from the Sennar side, as well as at the city’s entrances from various governorates, and they carry out large-scale security campaigns on a weekly basis within the city of Al-Ruseiris.