Abu Tira and police forces withdraw from South Darfur localities

Authorities have withdrawn the Central Reserve Forces (known as Abu Tira) and the popular police forces stationed in Gireida locality to Buram locality, South Darfur, on Thursday, while the army and security forces remained in the locality.Witnesses reported to Radio Dabanga that withdrawing Abu Tira troops told them they were executing the authorities’ instructions to evacuate the area, but did not explain the reasons of their withdrawal.The sources revealed that elements of Unamid have guarded the market and the locality’s headquarters in Gireida.The authorities’ decision came days after the withdrawal of police forces after the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Minni Minawi (SLM-MM) entered Gireida city and attacked security sites on 21 January.Abu Tira retreat in MershingThe Abu Tira troops stationed in Mershing locality withdrew into the state’s capital Nyala on Wednesday.Sources revealed that they saw elements of the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) led by Dr Tijani Sese, also chairman of the Darfur Regional Authority, guarding the city market and the locality’s headquarters on Wednesday and Thursday. File photo: Abu Tira forces near a camp in Darfur Related: SLM-MM claims attack on Gireida, South Darfur (22 January 2014)