Two raped, militia stop villagers from fleeing in North Darfur

Militiamen gang raped two women west of Shangil Tobaya, North Darfur, on Wednesday. They also beat the victims severely. Meanwhile, the assembled paramilitary force near Shangil Tobaya is preventing villagers from fleeing a possible large-scale military operation against the rebels in East Jebel Marra.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that seven members of a government-backed militia, riding on camels, attacked a man, his wife, and his sister in Tagali area at 5 pm. They beat and whipped the husband with rifle butts and tied him to a tree. The militiamen raped the women alternately.

The witness further reported that the three victims are in a physically and mentally bad condition. They were taken to a health centre in Shadad camp. The incident was reported to Unamid.

Paramilitary blockade

Listeners told to Radio Dabanga that the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) are stationed with more than 200 vehicles north of Hilla El Jedida, north of Shangil Tobaya. The troops have imposed a blockade on the region since Monday, preventing villagers from fleeing East Jebel Marra towards Shadad and Naivasha camps for the displaced.

RSF troops also prevented people from going out to welcome the newly displaced people, the listener reported. This happened on Thursday when a number of displaced people came out to welcome seven families who just fled Shagaragi in East Jebel Marra. The families consisted mostly out of women and children. They remain out in the open near Shadad camp since Tuesday, without water, food, and shelter, the listener added.

He appealed to the authorities and Unamid to protect the fleeing villagers, so they can access safe areas in Shangil Tobaya, El Fasher, and Tawila.