UN says army suffered causalities in West Darfur camp violence
October 21, 2007 (NYALA) – UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) confirmed clashes in a West Darfur IDPs camp saying Sudanese army suffered three causalities following attempts to enter the camp.
“In West Darfur, following the killing of a member of the Border Intelligence by IDPs on 20 October in Hamidiya IDP camp in Zalingei, SAF [Sudan Armed Forces] surrounded the camp the same day and started shooting toward the camp.” UNMIS said.
Yesterday, the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) leader Abdelwahid al-Nur told Sudan Tribune that four people are gravely injured in a new attack carried out by Sudanese government militias against Hamidiya camps.
The UNMIS indicated that Sudanese army soldiers tried to enter the camp twice.
“Initial reports indicate that SAF suffered three casualties.” The UN said, adding that seven IDPs were arrested in connection with the incident.
Some displaced have left the camp in fear of a further attack on the camp.
In another development, a Sheikh from Kondobe on 19 October informed the UN that Arab militia started looting civilian property in Bidagig, in West Darfur. Farms and cultivations in the deserted village have been destroyed by the cattle let loose by the Arab militia for grazing.
Violence is increasing in camps for displaced people in Darfur where nearly two million people have been displaced since 2004, last week at least five people were killed and nine others were injured inside the Kalama camp, in South Darfur.
Darfur rebels accuse Khartoum of instigating the violence in the camps to push the displaced to go back to their villages without justice or compensation.
(ST)