Start of major offensive against rebel stronghold in Darfur’s East Jebel Marra

12 people were killed, and many others wounded in the area north of East Jebel Marra today, during the start of a  large offensive on Deribat, one of the strongholds of the Sudan Liberation Movement, commanded by Abdel Wahid El Nur.

From early morning until afternoon, the villages of Katur, Dubo El Madrasa, Barara, Wadi Lei Gina, and Usajanga, were targeted by the Sudanese Air Force. The heavy bombardments were extended to the areas east of Deribat and south of Fanga, people from the area told Dabanga.

They said that convoys with troops of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), totalling at least about 200 vehicles, moved towards Deribat, heavily shooting and shelling the areas they were passing.

The sources reported the killing of at least 12 people, and dozens of livestock, as well as the ignition of several fires in the area.

Other sources said that a RSF militia detachment of about 200 Land Cruisers are in a state of readiness in the area of El Malam. They expect that this force will move towards the area south of Jebel Marra.  

Another large group of RSF militias, supported by local militiamen commanded by Abdelfatah Burhan, a notorious militia leader in Central Darfur, started moving towards the area west of Jebel Marra today, a listener in Nierteti locality told Dabanga.

The Darfur Displaced and Refugees Association strongly condemned the targeting by the RSF militia of civilians, and urged the international community, and the UN Security Council to act immediately.