Soldiers’ New Year revelry injures Central Darfur civilians

Three people were injured, and several women reportedly miscarried in the early hours of Sunday morning, when regular and militia forces opened fire during New Year celebrations in Zalingei in Central Darfur.

Three people were injured, and several women reportedly miscarried in the early hours of Sunday morning, when regular and militia forces opened fire during New Year celebrations in Zalingei in Central Darfur.

A resident told Radio Dabanga that the dense shooting sparked panic among the population of Zalingei. The injured include Mohamed Ali, Maryam Ibrahim Ishag, and Abdelshakour Ahmed Abdelrasoul who suffered a gunshot wound to his chest.

The witness also reported that a number of women miscarried as a result of extreme panic.

El Shafee Abdallah, the coordinator of Central Darfur camps told Radio Dabanga: “we expected to welcome the New Year with peace and love, but it was welcomed with gunfire.”