Mistariha: Condemnations and Outrage Amid Fears of Disintegrating Darfuri Social Fabric

Exclusive: Brown Land
Various political parties and forces have condemned the clashes between the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the Mahameed tribe, led by Sheikh Musa Hilal, in North Darfur. The violence has resulted in the killing and wounding of hundreds of residents in Mistariha.
Ahmed Abkar, the official spokesperson for the Revolutionary Awakening Council, told Brown Land that final casualty figures are not yet available, but hundreds are dead or injured, and thousands of residents have been displaced or forced to flee.
On Tuesday, members of the UN Security Council expressed deep concern over the continued violence in Sudan, including Kordofan and Darfur states, condemning the atrocities allegedly committed by the RSF in El Fasher. In a joint statement, members noted that persistent RSF attacks are destabilizing Kordofan and exacerbating the country’s security crisis. They emphasized that the priority remains pushing warring parties to resume talks for a permanent ceasefire.
Simultaneously, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), led by Gibril Ibrahim, condemned the RSF attack on Mistariha, citing the killing of unarmed civilians, the terrorization of peaceful families, and the displacement of thousands. In a statement obtained by Brown Land, the movement asserted that targeting civilians and destroying service facilities constitutes a flagrant violation of International Humanitarian Law, amounting to crimes against humanity that warrant international accountability.
JEM praised the UN Security Council’s sanctions on RSF leaders as a step toward accountability, but argued they remain insufficient unless the RSF is designated a terrorist organization and strict sanctions are imposed on states supporting the militia to cut off the military and logistical supplies prolonging the conflict.
The Darfur Regional Government also denounced the “heinous crime” committed by the rebel “Al-Dagalo militia” against civilians in the Mistariha area (Damrat Sheikh Musa Hilal). It described the act as criminal behavior that defies all religious and human values, embodying a dangerous disregard for the sanctity of life. The government called on the international community and rights organizations to uphold their moral responsibilities by clearly condemning these crimes and supporting efforts to protect civilians.
The Umma Party, led by Mubarak Al-Mahdi, denounced the “treacherous attack” on Mistariha in a statement, describing the brutal assault on civilians in their villages as a departure from declared military goals, driven instead by personal vendetta and revenge against Sheikh Musa, who had remained neutral. The party urged the UN and member states to investigate these violations and impose maximum pressure and sanctions on the RSF.
Meanwhile, the High Coordination of the Mahameed Tribe stated: “We have followed with great concern the recent developments in Mahameed areas, including the deliberate targeting of Mistariha via drones. This systematic action clearly demonstrates that the conflict has now become one between the Maharia (Awlad Mansour), led by the Dagalo family, and the Mahameed tribe.” The statement warned all Arab tribes in Darfur to be wary of this dangerous plot and refrain from intervening.
In the same vein, the General Coordination of the Rizeigat Tribe (inside and outside Sudan) condemned in the strongest terms the RSF’s drone strikes on February 22, 2026. They described it as a “cowardly assault” on a civilian-populated area, calling it a deliberate attempt to ignite an internal, bloody war between the sub-clans of the Rizeigat tribe. The coordination appealed to Darfuri members within the RSF not to participate in this scheme and called on the Sudanese Armed Forces to intervene immediately to protect civilians.

Experts on Darfur affairs note that the rift between Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo (Hemedti) and Musa Hilal is historical, dating back to 2005 when Hilal led the Border Guard Forces and Hemedti was a soldier under his command. However, experts believe the primary current cause is Musa Hilal’s alignment with the Sudanese Armed Forces in the war against the RSF. Fears remain among various entities that this conflict could expand to involve other Darfuri tribes, ultimately dismantling the region’s social fabric.