Three killed in intertribal fighting in West Darfur

March 25, 2007 (KHARTOUM) – Arab tribesmen killed three people and wounded 15 others in an attack carried against a village in the troubled Darfur region, the UN mission in Sudan bulletin reported today.

Three people were killed and 15 others were wounded and 35 houses were destroyed when armed Arab tribesmen attacked Sirba village (45km North of El Geneina) in West Darfur on Saturday March 24.

The UN evacuated 13 aid workers from Abu Surug and Sirba to El-Genina.

According to local security officials in El Geneina, capital of West Darfur region, the incident involved a group of Erenga rebels who attacked a group of Arab nomad on 22 March, killing one nomad and kidnapping another, and steeling between 300 and 400 sheep, and Arabs who mobilized to recover the animals.

The Arab nomads found the stolen cattle on 24 March in Karangala, located near Sirba and while collecting the sheep, they were attached by Erenga rebels. As a result, one Arab was killed and four injured.

Four were killed from the other group and 11 were injured. A number of houses were burnt. Late on 24 March the authorities sent representatives and vehicles to transfer the injured to El Geneina.

The injured are expected to arrive in El Geneina today, UNMIS said.

(ST)