Abu Tira forces continue abuse

Refugees in Zamzam camp allege that extortion and looting have become an everyday occurrenceAbu Tira, or central reserve, forces continued violations against refugees from North Darfur’s Zamzam camp on Thursday, sources residing in the camp told Radio Dabanga.Thursday’s events come after Abu Tira forces were accused of killing one refugee and injuring six others in Zamzam camp on Tuesday.The forces allegedly continued assaulting refugees, threatened them with death, looting and burning of the camp on Thursday. The reason behind the abuse — the refugees reportedly refused to bow down to give them money.One of the refugees, who faced assault at the hands of the Abu Tira, told Radio Dabanga that over 20 Abu Tira soldiers raided the southern part of the camp and asked residents to pay them. “They said that if we didn’t pay the money, they would search our homes and arrest us on charges of possession of arms,” the refugee said.When the refugees declined to respond to the soldiers’ threats, the latter beat them and abused them verbally. The victim told Radio Dabanga that extortion and looting was now a daily affair.Protests against Abu Tira excessesAt the same time, dozens of women and students residing in Zamzam camp demonstrated against the violent killing of one of their fellow refugees and the assault on six others by Abu Tira forces on Tuesday.Angry demonstrators demanded the United Nations African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) provide protection to the displaced people. One of them told Radio Dabanga that the demonstrators were led a rally to the nearby UNAMID office.“However, Abu Tira forces attacked the residents on the way. And soon UNAMID soldiers in 11 Land Cruisers came to cordon off the area,” a sheikh from the camp said.Shops and schools shutAll schools and shops in Zamzam camp remained shut on Thursday to protest against Tuesday’s bloody events. Camp residents paid tribute to the deceased Abdullah Abdal Bannat who was shot dead by Abu Tira personnel.Residents called on state government authorities to arrest the perpetrators, bring them to trial and put an end to violations by Abu Tira forces.UNAMID confirms incidentUNAMID confirmed on Thursday the death of one camp resident. However, the perpetrators were not identified as Abu Tira personnel by the UNAMID. “Armed men in military attire reportedly attempted to loot two shops in the camp. The resisting of the owner brought about the reinforcement of the armed group, followed by random shooting, killing one person and injuring two others. The injured received initial medical aid at an INGO medical facility in the camp and later transferred to El Fasher hospital,” a statement released by the UNAMID stated.