The Gadarif Resistance Committees have reported a dangerous escalation in attacks in Al-Qureisha locality of Gadarif State, carried out by Ethiopian armed groups affiliated with what is known as the “Shifta” gangs.
According to a statement from the committees, these repeated assaults are primarily targeting farmland and involve the looting of livestock. The attacks have led to the deaths of several civilians and significant material losses over recent years.
The committees stated that these incidents have caused widespread fear and anxiety among residents of the area, especially with the onset of the rainy season — a crucial time for agriculture, which local communities rely on as their main source of livelihood and food security.
The statement called on the Sudanese government to take responsibility for putting an end to these violations. It criticized the Sudanese army units stationed in nearby camps for failing to take effective action to repel the attacks or protect civilians and their property.
In response, the Ethiopian government, through Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nebiat Getachew, denied deploying any military forces into Sudanese territory and reiterated its commitment to good neighborly relations and avoiding any escalation of tensions with Sudan.
