Veteran NBC Journalist Jay Gray Joins Scripps News as Senior National Correspondent
April 14, 2026
KRIS 6 Journalists Honored at Texas Broadcast News Awards for Excellence in Reporting
April 14, 2026
April 14, 2026 – Sudan –
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have detained several members of a journalist’s family during a raid in North Darfur, in an incident that has intensified concerns over escalating abuses and intimidation in areas under armed group control amid the ongoing conflict.
The raid targeted the family home of Sudanese journalist Zamzam Khater in the town of Kutum, where RSF personnel reportedly stormed the residence, detained multiple relatives, and moved them to an undisclosed location. The operation also involved a wider security sweep in the neighbourhood, with residents reportedly confined to their homes during the incursion.
According to Khater, the detained individuals include close family members such as siblings, nieces, nephews, and other relatives, along with displaced persons who were staying at the household at the time of the raid. She also alleged that RSF forces used violence during the operation, including physical assault, firing shots into the air, and confiscating communication devices.
The journalist said she was not given any explanation for the raid or the detention of her relatives, adding to uncertainty over the motives behind the operation. The RSF has not issued a public statement addressing the specific allegations at the time of reporting.
The incident comes amid a broader pattern of arrests and security operations in the region, which have intensified following recent internal fractures within RSF ranks, including reported defections of local commanders to Sudanese army forces. Observers say these developments have contributed to heightened instability and retaliatory actions in parts of Darfur.
Press freedom advocates have repeatedly warned that journalists in Sudan face growing risks, including harassment, arbitrary detention, and threats targeting family members, particularly in conflict zones where armed actors exercise territorial control with limited accountability mechanisms.
The case of Zamzam Khater’s family highlights the precarious conditions for media workers reporting from Sudan’s war-affected regions, where journalists and their relatives can become vulnerable to reprisals linked to their reporting.
As the conflict continues, rights groups are calling for urgent protections for journalists and civilians, alongside independent investigations into alleged abuses by armed factions operating in Darfur and other parts of the country.
Reference –
