Killing and looting in 7 villages of North Darfur

A government force consisting of 20 vehicles backed by local militias on Thursday lauched attacks against villages in Dar es Salaam locality in North Darfur. Affected villages included Eid Al Beid, Hilat Agaba, Hila Bein, Hila Wadi, Hilat Arab, and Jara.A witness told Radio Dabanga that the attacking forces killed the brothers Jumatallah Yagub Abakr Kabir and Daoud Yagub Abakr Kabir, and Zekaria Arja, Yagub Adam Bakhit, and Mohamed Al Zein Hammadi, and wounded Ramadan Hussein Yahia.

One witness said that the forces carried out searches, beatings, torture, pillage, looting and widespread destruction in the villages. They looted 200 head of sheep, 120 cattle and 130 camels. They also took jewelry of women and 20 thousand pounds in cash from citizens in the area.

Witnesses said that three vehicles of the same forces resumed their attack in the area on Monday, assaulting the civilian Adam Abdelkarim Jumaa, who was severely beaten. Witnesses said that not less than 3000 people fled to the city of El Fasher. Witnesses appealed for humanitarian aid from organizations and protection from UNAMID.

According to the Doctors Without Borders, thousands of people have fled fighting in Darfur in the last two months, including at least 7000 now in two camps in Shangil Tobaya town. The NGO said in a statement Monday that “People fled suddenly and arrived with nothing but their clothes. Initially they set up makeshift shelters made out of their clothes and grass, to help protect them from the cold nights.” The statement also noted that fighting in December 2010 in South Darfur also displaced thousands of additional families.