Deadly air strike ‘hits area south of Nyala’, South Darfur

An unknown number of people was killed and several injured on Sunday in the area of Umm Gunja and Allah Kareem, south of Nyala in South Darfur. It was reported that the village of Allah Kareem was burned down completely and scores of livestock were killed after government forces carried out an air strike and a ground offensive.Several witnesses informed Radio Dabanga that an Antonov and two MiG warplanes bombed the areas of Umm Gunja and Allah Kareem on Sunday afternoon. The witnesses claimed that the Antonov dropped more than 20 bombs which was followed by heavy artillery shelling and a ground offensive carried out by pro-government militias. Speaking to Radio Dabanga, the witnesses revealed that an unknown number of people was killed and several were injured and added that the village of Allah Kareem was burned to the ground and that scores of livestock were killed. Also, it was reported that pro-government militants beat and tortured whomever they encountered as well as agressively looting people’s belongings. Civilians fled towards neighboring valleys and forests in an attempt to escape the attacks. According to the witnesses, rebels united in the Sudan Revolutionary Front are not present in the areas. It was reported that most of the people fled the recent incidents in Muhajeriya, Labado and Marla. They were heading towards the areas of Umm Gunja and Allah Kareem before pro-government militants closed the roads leading to Nyala, followed by the bombardments. Those who attempted to flee towards Nyala would be subjected to death or at least to looting and beating, witnesses stated.Sources reported that thousands of children and elderly are facing extremely difficult circumstances and called on international aid organizations and humanitarian organizations to intervene immediately and stop the air strikes and provide aid to those affected.File photo