‘Army repels Abbala attack’ in North Darfur – three killed, four wounded

A woman, a child, and a government soldier were killed on Saturday evening and four soldiers were wounded as a result of a clash between a contingent of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and a group of Abbala tribesmen. The SAF contingent was stationed in the Al Sareif Beni Hussein area to secure the protection of civilians, a government source told Radio Dabanga. The omda of Al Sareif Beni Hussein, Omar Abdullah Al Nour, explained that the Abbala militia attacked the local military base but the army blocked the attack. The woman and child were reportedly killed in the crossfire. Omda Al Nour expressed regret at the deaths and injuries, but welcomed the government’s move to deploy the army to secure and protect civilians in the region. “The deployment of troops will work to reduce conflict and open the roads that were closed between Al Sareif, Saraf Omra and Sharif and Kabkabiya”, he said. Omda Al Nour asked the government to send more army contingents “to secure the villages and bring life back to normal in the region”. The Abbala and Beni Hussein tribes fought violently earlier this year over control of the Jebel ‘Amer gold mine in Al Sareif Beni Hussein locality, leaving at least 500 people killed. The UN estimates that more than 100,000 people were displaced. File photo by Albert González Farran / UNAMID Related: ‘Beni Hussein bury 62 in North Darfur’ following tribal violence (27 June 2013)Renewed violence between Abbala and Beni Hussein in North Darfur (26 June 2013)Abbala tribe ultimatum to Sudan government: Intervene or we’re out (25 June 2013)New Beni Hussein – Abbala violence in North Darfur (23 June 2013)Preparations complete for Beni Hussein, Abbala tribe summit in North Darfur (29 May 2013)