Series of explosions at weapons cache rock town in West Kordofan

June 5, 2016 (KHARTOUM) – A weapons cache belonging to the paramilitary Popular Defence Forces (PDF) Sunday has caught fire, triggering multiple explosions in West Kordofan’s town of Ghibaish.

Eyewitnesses told Sudan Tribune that the loud explosions which rocked Ghibaish were caused by a fire at a weapons cache belonging to the PDF in downtown, saying there were no casualties.

They added that the explosions caused fear and panic among the residents, pointing that the causes of the fire have not been determined yet.

According to the witnesses, the fire fighters managed to put the fire out with the help of the locals in about two hours.

They added that the explosions occurred at 4:00 am (local time) and continued for two hours, saying the exploded ordinance included Kalashnikov rifles, RPG 7 and DShK machine guns bullets.

The same eyewitnesses underscored that the locals were surprised that the weapons are kept inside the house of the PDF coordinator in downtown despite the fact that the PDF premises which lie far away from the locals residences include ordinance depot.

The PDF, a legally constituted branch of Sudan’s military, was officially formed in 1989 as a “semi-military” force to be formed from Sudanese citizens.

(ST)