Sudanese army and militiamen kill 5 villagers in North Darfur – rebels

January 4, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — Government soldiers and militiamen killed five civilians in north Darfur on Friday, said Adam Saleh Abakar the spokesperson of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Minni Minnawi.

According to the rebel spokesperson, Sudanese army troops and militiamen looted 200 head of sheep, 120 head of cattle and 1300 camels from civilians in Id Bayda village located south of El Fasher on Friday.

Adam further said the assailant force killed five men and wounded another they met outside the village in the road to Tabit, 37km north of Shangil Tobaya, North Darfu. He underlined that the five victims are from the Zagawa ethnic group.

A verification team from the hybrid peacekeeping operation (UNAMID) confirmed two days ago the growing violence in Tabit and nearby villages. It also said villagers fled to El-Fasher and Shingil Tobayai.

The Sudanese army intensified attacks recently on rebel groups from the SLM-Minnawi and the SLM- Abdel Wahid in the region. The North Darfur Governor Osman Mohamed Kibir visited several areas after the fighting hailing the efforts of the army to end the rebellion.

Adam said on Friday morning before the attack 19 army vehicles arrived to the Id Bayda village where they were generously welcomed by the population, before to participate in the attack with the militiamen in the afternoon.

The SLA-MM said the militia that attacked the village is known as Kibir’s militia adding that Zagawa are defined as main target of this militia formed by the governor and accused him of practicing genocide and ethnic cleansing.

Rebel groups say the recent attacks on their positions in the troubled region come together with forced displacement of villagers in different areas.

They also consider this new wave of violence as part of the government strategy to end the eight year conflict in Darfur.

(ST)