Ali Kushayb, indicted for war crimes in Darfur by the International Criminal Court (ICC), is “leading” the deadly tribal clashes between Misseriya and Salamat in Central Darfur, onlookers say.<\/p>\n
The former militia leader is accused of committing murders, rapes and forcibly displacing thousands of people. An arrest warrant was issued for him in 2007. Witnesses said he is leading the clashes since they started on the Misseriya side.<\/p>\n
Tensions began to rise last Wednesday morning after a member of the Misseriya tribe allegedly tried looting and opening fire on a Salamat man, who was not hurt.<\/p>\n
Hostilities erupted the next day in spite of an attempted mediation, which had aimed to prevent some 4,000 gunmen from battling each other.<\/p>\n
By Monday the Misseriya burned the administration building of Abugaradil, a Salamat stronghold, only to be pushed back again later that night.<\/p>\n
On the next morning, however, Misseriya militants attacked the building again what led to fierce clashes that are still on-going.<\/p>\n
Misseriya fighters have reportedly received the backup of members of the Central Reserve Forces, known as Abu Tira. They arrived in Umm Dukhun on Tuesday at 7:00pm in 12 Land Cruisers \u201ccelebrating the defeat\u201d of the Salamat in Abugaradil.<\/p>\n
The gunmen were firing gunshots in the air upon their arrival and women were chanting to express their support. Sources said Misseriya and its allies are based in Umm Dukhun\u2019s neighborhood of Al Haya Sharqi.<\/p>\n
The \u201cwhole\u201d city of Umm Dukhun has been looted by militants, sources said, \u201cincluding shops and homes\u201d.<\/p>\n
Nearby villages of Muradaf and Magula were also affected by Tuesday\u2019s clashes and local citizens continue to flee to neighboring Chad.<\/p>\n
Sources were yet not able to confirm the latest death toll, although on Monday different witness accounts put the total number of dead as high as 163 in several different clashes.<\/p>\n
Hostilities spread as far as the South Darfur border towards Rahad El Berdi, where local sources saw large gatherings of gunmen noting clashes could erupt \u201cat any time\u201d. Fighting is also spreading northwards towards Bindisi and Seleleh, onlookers said. <\/p>\n
Map: Umm Dukhun, Central Darfur (OCHA- cropped)<\/em><\/p>\n Related<\/em>: 80 more killed on 5th day of battles between Central Darfur tribes<\/a> (8 April 2013)<\/p>\n