Stories From Within The Battlefield A survivor recounts the story of the Salaha massacre| Sudanow Magazine

Khartoum-(Sudanow)- They decided to leave Salaha, the farthest south of Omdurman, in a large group, with Elfaitahab as their destination, being the closest area to Salaha with a military presence. Additionally, they have family ties with Elfaitahab residents, as most Salaha residents have social connections there.

However, they chose the easiest geographically but most insecure route, the main asphalt road connecting Salaha to Elfaitahab, which is infested with Militia groups from the start of Salaha to Jebel Aulia, south of Salaha.

Residents of Salaha couldn't stay there in the period leading up to the military's entry. Leaving home to the nearest point and returning safely became impossible. Life wasn't possible anymore. Forces affiliated with the militia, reportedly from South Sudan, had recently spread, seemingly brought in to kill civilians, not fight the army. They instilled new terror in residents, adding to the fear of existing forces in Salaha and those that entered via Jebel Aulia dam after being squeezed out of Khartoum, East Nile, Bahri, and other areas in Gezira, Sennar, and Jebel Muwia.

With electricity and water cut off , staying in Salaha became a suicidal gamble, whether by bullet, thirst, or disease.

About 220 people, including youth, women, children, and elderly, gathered in "Al-Al-Gei'a" neighborhood, south of Salaha, parallel to Al-Dabasin bridge. Three vehicles moved, according to Abd al-Aziz Muhammad Mudawi, a survivor said to Sudanow, , hoping to escape the hell they lived in. They didn't expect militia members to block their way with their women and children.

Near "Al-Wasal" secondary school on Salaha's main road, the vehicles were stopped, as this scene rarely happens civilians openly leaving Salaha on the main road.

They were asked, "Where to?" The answer, which cost the lives of young men whose whereabouts and bodies are now unknown, was: "To Elfaitahab." A militia member commented, "You’re going to the army ، you are the army itself."

According to Abd al-Aziz saying, they were forced out of the vehicles. Women, children, and elderly were separated from the group; he was among those separated. A militia force took about 28 civilians, including four men aged 55-60, into an empty house behind Al-Wasal school.

We heard gunfire from inside the house. According to Abd al-Aziz saying , a hospital guard later told him the civilians were executed. To this day, no one knows the fate of the bodies or where they were buried. There's no trace except blood, a witness to a crime committed against unarmed civilians, some from the same family. Houses remain closed, their owners lost to brutality and inhumane acts.

Abd al-Aziz confirmed they searched for victims in surrounding areas after the army entered but found no trace. He said this incident will haunt him for life due to its brutality, with images of the young men lingering in his mind.

This massacre changed a prevailing notion that Salaha residents were reconciled with and cooperative with the militia. Some resisted, some were detained, some killed, some suffered permanent injuries, and some endured. Now, they relive those bitter memories. Some still can't grasp that Salaha suffered, lived in panic and terror, yet remained resilient despite harboring the likes of Abu Lu'lu', the worst

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