Assaults continue in North Darfur camps

Residents panic as government helicopter swoops down on Zam Zam; racial assaults reported in Kassab  A number of refugees in North Darfur’s Zam Zam camp have been injured as a result of a government operation on Wednesday.  Refugees from the camp were put in a state of panic when three (3) government helicopters swooped down and flew at a low altitude over the camp. The incident happened at around eight in the morning.  Inhabitants of the camp said that central reserve forces (also referred to as Abu Tirat) opened fire indiscriminately on the same day adding to panic and fear among residents.   A refugee, who does not wish to be named fearing retribution from Sudanese authorities, demanded that the international community intervene to protect the Sudanese refugees, while expressing his distrust of the government forces.  Racist assaults in Kassab camp Displaced persons living in Kassab camp, North Darfur complained on Thursday of routine racial abuse at the hands of pro-government militias.  The refugees said that pro-government militias riding cars and land cruisers launch slogans and racial insults at the camp population. Some incursions into the camps by unidentified persons also result in heavy firing.  A dweller of the camp, who wants to protect his identity, told Radio Dabanga, “A group of four (4) militia men entered the camp with four land cruisers on Thursday afternoon. They were armed with heavy weapons and caused a state of terror.”  The residents have reported the incident to the United Nations African Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) and demanded protection.  Earlier this month, Radio  Dabanga reported about central reserve forces abusing power in Zam Zam camp as well as Saraf Omra camp in South Darfur.