At least eight people have died and dozens more have been injured as gunmen from the Beni Halba tribe attacked the city of Katila, stronghold of the Gimir tribe, at 8.30am on Wednesday. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that most of the city has been destroyed by fire, including houses and the entire market.<\/p>\n
The tribes signed a ceasefire agreement at the beginning of May \u2013 the fourth within a short period \u2013 suspending hostilities that flared-up in February over land disputes. Sources say that as motivation for this new attack the Beni Halba accuse the Gimr tribe of \u201cnot respecting the peace treaty\u201d.<\/p>\n
Residents of the city accused official authorities of \u201cfacilitating the attack”. They said that the Sudanese Army (SAF) contingent charged with enforcing the treaty withdrew from the city at around 8.00am. The Beni Halba tribesmen then advanced \u201c30 minutes later, from the same direction\u201d with various weapons, and military vehicles and uniforms.<\/p>\n
This caused thousands to flee. Several witnesses confirmed that omda (native Gimr administrator) Abakar Abu Dili, also known as Abu Al Rassim, omda Abdullah Abakar, as well as Katila youth Adam Azeem, are among the dead.<\/p>\n
More than 8,000 Katila fugitives have arrived at the nearby city of Tullus, some on foot on foot and others riding animals. Sources within Tullus told Radio Dabanga that some of the displaced are being sheltered in schools but most \u2013 predominantly women and children \u2013 are \u201cin the streets and under trees\u201d. Their humanitarian situation is critical.<\/p>\n
At the time of publishing, witnesses said that flames are still rising from the city, with smoke billowing from the burned houses. \u201cKatila has become depopulated after the attack; only a few elders remain.” Apart from those who have reached Tullus, hundreds of displaced are sheltering in surrounding valleys such as the Dabanga Valley in Tullus locality, to escape the heat, sources said.<\/p>\n
They appeal to the international community and human rights organizations to house the children and the elderly, as well as to protect the people of Darfur from murder and arson. They stressed that \u201cthe war is not between citizens, but is targeting arranged and planned locations\u201d.<\/p>\n
File photo<\/em><\/p>\n Related<\/em>: Gimir and Beni Halba tribes sign treaty in South Darfur<\/a> (3 May 2013)<\/p>\n