Abbala militias force displaced to dig water wells in N Darfur

Six displaced in North Darfur were kidnapped by Abbala militias and forced to dig water wells near their base for over a day, “uninterruptedly”. A sheikh told Radio Dabanga the six people, who are displaced living in Kabkabiya city, had gone north of the town on Friday to collect firewood.Upon their return one day later, the displaced were ambushed by the Abbala, who perforated the wheel of their horse cart, threw their cargo on the ground and beat them.The victims were then dragged to the militants’ base (damra) and forced to dig water wells until they were freed on Sunday. According to the sheikh, the Abbala, who were riding camels and dressed in military uniforms, told the six people that was a free land for grazing and not for collecting firewood. The sheikh is demanding authorities to put an end to violations and abuses by Abbala militias and bring perpetrators to justice. Last week, Radio Dabanga reported that Abbala gunmen raped a displaced for three days in North Darfur, and attacked and looted displaced persons in West Darfur.File photo by Albert González Farran/ UNAMIDSee also: Abbala capture, rape N Darfur displaced for ‘3 consecutive days’ (14 March 2013)Abbala ask 3 million for dead camel found near W Darfur camp (13 March 2013)