Nine West Darfur villages torched in reprisal

Gunmen torched nine villages east of Kereinik, West Darfur, on Sunday and Monday.

The residents’ property, livestock, and harvests were taken.

Gunmen torched nine villages east of Kereinik, West Darfur, on Sunday and Monday.

The residents’ property, livestock, and harvests were taken. A witness explained that the raids followed the murder of a militiaman. He allegedly stole cattle from Murnei and herded them to Um Tajok. The cattle owners then persued the thief and killed him.

After his death, a large number of militiamen in the area gathered and set fire to the village of the cattle owners, as well as eight other villages: Um Kadoza, Taloma Helat Gimir, Greida, Um Dukhn, Aredeba Kuga, Shutuk, Khursial, Gadeir, and Endilba.

During the attacks, the men raided homes and robbed villagers of their belongings.

(OCHA)