Two paramilitary soldiers killed in clashes with police in North Darfur

July 9, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – Two members of the paramilitary Popular Defence Forces (PDF) were killed during clashes with an army/police patrol in the North Darfur state capital, El-Fasher, on Wednesday.

The recruits of the paramilitary force violated an order that banned wearing of a turban-veil locally known as “al-Kadmol” that covers the head and the face and makes difficult the identification of a person.

The quarrel over al-Kadmol quickly evolved into full blown clashes and two PDF members were killed. Two military vehicles were destroyed.

There was no official comment or statement on the incident.

A number of Darfur states banned the wearing of al-Kadmol following robbery attacks by unidentified gunmen in the region. The measure is part of government efforts to fight criminal activities in Darfur.

Tensions are running high in the North Darfur state where the governor Osman Kibir is contested by Arab groups that fought against the rebel groups during the first years of the counterinsurgency war in the region.

(ST)