23 killed in tribal clashes in South Darfur
May 22, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – At least 23 people were killed and 51 others injured yesterday in tribal clashes between Al- Gimir and Bani Halba tribes in Sudan’s South Darfur state.
Fires and columns of smoke were seen in provinces more than 50 kilometres away.
A spokesperson for Al-Gimir tribe, Abakar Al-Tom, lashed at the government of South Darfur state, accusing it of colluding with the Bani Halba tribe.
Al-Tom told reporters that government forces withdrew minutes before the start of the offensive, leaving the area and its residents to around 1.000 Bani Halba fighters on Land cruiser vehicles as well as on horsebacks and camels.
According to Al-Tom, the attack led to the displacement of all Katela residents, including the mayor of the locality, Abakar Hamid.
Al-Gimir tribe has submitted a protest note to the governor and the state legislature and sent a delegation to make a complaint to the African Union United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID).
A security source, who preferred to stay anonymous, said that two policemen were killed while defending the police headquarters before the attackers were able to burn it.
The same source said that 11 people from the Bani Halba were injured and two of them died later after they were transferred to Id Al-Firsan locality.
Officials in the government of Southern Darfur declined to comment on accusations made by Al-Gimir tribe of their collusion with Bani Halba.
Last January, seven people were killed and four others injured in similar clashes between the two tribes.
Tribal violence has mounted in Sudan’s Darfur region during the past months which pushed the UNAMID to urge the conflicting parties to avoid whatever may threaten the peace in the restive region.
(ST)