2 gunmen killed in clashes with UNAMID patrol in South Darfur
January 6, 2015 (KHARTOUM) – Two people were killed in clashes between unidentified gunmen and a military patrol unit belonging to the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) in the Burumburum area, about 11 kilometres north-east of Khor Abeche, in South Darfur.
The gunmen withdrew from the battlefield without being able to seize the vehicles of the patrol unit, the eyewitnesses added.
Ibrahim al-Gali, the commissioner of Nateega locality said the UNAMID’s patrol was ambushed following its return from an official assignment.
He pointed that the commander of the military area from the Sudanese army arrived at the scene of the incident, saying that bodies have been transferred to Nyala hospital for autopsy.
Meanwhile a source within UNAMID told Sudan Tribune that the patrol unit was ambushed by a group comprised of 5 gunmen, adding that heavy clashes which ensued led to the death of 2 gunmen while the others were forced to flee.
According to the source no one from the Tanzanian soldiers in the patrol unit was injured in the clashes.
UNAMID acting chief, Abiodun Oluremi Bashua, “commended the peacekeepers for their robust response to the attackers and called on the Government of Sudan to speedily investigate the incident and bring the perpetrators to justice,” said a statement issued in New York.
This is the second attack on UNAMID in this area in as many months.
The spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General Stephane Dujarric told reporters that another UNAMID patrol had been attacked on Tuesday by unknown assaillants at a water point, about 5 kilometres south-west of the mission team site in Habilla, in West Darfur.
“The peacekeepers did not sustain any injuries but the attackers seized a water tanker and a vehicle,” he said.
South Darfur state has witnessed a near total security breakdown in recent months with recurrent incidents of looting, banditry and murder including from pro-government militias.
Businessmen and commercial convoys in South Darfur are regularly attacked by armed gangs which demand ransom for their release.
(ST)