Firing in the air by RSF militiamen sparks panic in Nyala

June 5, 2015 (NYALA) – Firing guns in the air in celebration by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on Friday forced the Sudanese army to shoot heavy machine guns in the air to stop them as the militiamen caused mass panic in capital of South Darfur state.

The RSF fighters shot guns in the air to celebrate the recovery of an stolen vehicle on the road of Nyala-Kas on Friday, expressing their jubilation as they are now are involved in the war against bandits and armed gangs.

“A RSF unite managed to recover a vehicle stolen from Kas county and when entering the city of Nyala, they started to fire guns in the air. In reaction, the Sudanese army shot heavy guns in the air as the area (where the shooting took place) is classified as a zone of operations,” the spokesperson of South Darfur state government told Sudan Tribune.

Abdel Latif Ali Idris said that the army was not informed about the celebration by the militia which is part of the National Intelligence and Security services, adding that the shooting did not hurt any person but just caused panic in the town.

The firing took place in Nyala neighbourhood of Giir .

This week, RSF elements recovered eight vehicles belonging to the hybrid peacekeeping mission. The unescorted convoy was ambushed in Doma area, South Darfur.

During the recent months, the militiamen have played a significant role in the government campaign against the rebel groups together with the army.

The irregular forces have been praised by president Omer al-Bashir personally following the defeat of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) near the border with South Sudan last April.

(ST)