East Darfur tribal strife leaves at least 20 dead, injured

At least 20 Ma’aliya and Rizeigat tribesmen were killed and wounded in Abu Karinka locality on Wednesday.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, multiple witnesses reported that the fighting erupted after Ma’aliya militants fired on a Rizeigat “rescue team” in the area of Sabanema.

The rescue team was formed to trace a number of sheep stolen from a Rizeigat tribesman, allegedly by Ma’aliya tribesmen.

“The clash resulted in the death or injury of at least 20 tribesmen from both sides, although the majority of them are Rizeigat” the witnesses reported.

The situation has become very tense, the sources said. Large groups of militants from both tribes are gathering in the area. “Renewed fighting may break out at any moment,” one of them predicted.

Ali Tahir Sharef, Commissioner of Abu Karinka locality, told Radio Dabanga that an army force intervened and “is in control of the situation”. He declined to provide details of the number of dead and injured.