Abu Tira, police forces on the run killed in North Darfur

Central Reserve Forces (Abu Tira) and police troops were killed by militiamen led by Musa Hilal between Kabkabiya and Kutum, North Darfur, today. The forces were fleeing after reports about army, Abu Tira, and police forces being ambushed by militiamen on Wednesday. The Abu Tira and police forces were stationed in Saraf Omra, but fled to Kabkabiya on Wednesday after they had received reports about militias led by Musa Hilal moving in their direction. Today, they fled through Kutum to El Fasher, the capital of North Darfur. The more than hundred forces were on their way to Kutum in 11 vehicles mounted with weapons when the militiamen ambushed them in the area of Tirma on the Kabkabiya-Kutum road at 1pm. An eyewitness reported that large numbers of Abu Tira and police forces were killed and injured in the attack. Also, several vehicles were burned; the remainder was seized by the militia. Surrender in Jebel ‘Amer Radio Dabanga has received more details on the attack against government forces in Jebel ‘Amer area on Wednesday. A convoy consisting of about 75 combined troops from the army, police, and Central Reserve Forces (Abu Tira) had offered no resistance to the Musa Hilal militiamen. The forces also surrendered 15 vehicles loaded with various types of weapons to the attackers. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that 68 soldiers arrived in Kabkabiya on Thursday. Seven others arrived Friday morning. “They were barefooted and not wearing anything but their underwear.” Abu Tira element report One of the Central Reserve Forces (Abu Tira) troops, who arrived in Kabkabiya on Thursday, spoke with Radio Dabanga. He said that a convoy of 15 military vehicles transporting army, Central Reserve Forces, and police troops, in 15 vehicles had arrived in Jebel ‘Amer in El Sareif Beni Hussein locality on Monday. Their purpose was to secure and guard the gold mines. The Abu Tira soldier pointed out that militia leader Musa Hilal came to them on Tuesday, telling them “to either withdraw from the area, or surrender. We decided to withdraw, and already pulled out of the region on Wednesday, heading towards Kabkabiya”. “On our way, we were ambushed by Hilal’s Janjaweed”, he said. They were dragged out of their vehicles, their weapons were seized, their uniforms were taken, and all of their belongings were looted. The militiamen handed one vehicle with a driver to seven government officers to bring them to Kabkabiya town. The source confirmed that the other forces marched by foot for a full day to the town. They currently reside at the Abu Tira compound, west of Kabkabiya. He revealed that several Abu Tira troops have not yet arrived in Kabkabiya, but he could not specify the number of colleagues. Map: Kabkabiya in the west, El Fasher (capital of North Darfur) in the east. Kutum is located in the north. Related: Abu Tira troops ambushed in North Darfur (27 February 2014) North Darfuris live in fear after market attack (15 January 2014)