Gimir-Beni Halba clashes leave 94 dead, 6,500 displaced in South Darfur

Tribal clashes involving the Gimir and Beni Halba in South Darfur have left a total of 94 people dead and another 65 injured since they resumed in March in Katila locality, a Gimir stronghold. A UN OCHA report released on Thursday states that an estimated 6,500 people have fled Katila and have sought refuge in Tullus. After fighting that began on 1 March 2013, the Government intervened and tried to reconcile the two tribes. However, since then tension has been growing between the two tribes over Government-led land demarcation efforts. The Sudanese Humanitarian Aid Commission  has requested humanitarian organisations to conduct a needs assessment mission to Tullus when the security situation allows. Speaking to Radio Dabanga, Gimir spokesman Abakar Al Tom, added that 1,200 houses were torched, five water wells destroyed, 14 villages were set ablaze and all the property of the inhabitants stolen. The total estimated damage so far is SDG 15 billion ($3.4 billion). Al Tom said that 22 Gimir died in attacks on Monday and Tuesday in Kabba, Butab Abu Bashir, Umm Gutiya, Kabo, Amud Al Sah, Ati Kena, and Ajuekheen, while 32 were wounded, of whom 11 were taken to Nyala hospital on Thursday. He appealed to aid organisations to provide relief and urgent help to families that have left for Tullus. File photo Related: Renewed Gimr-Beni Halba clashes in South Darfur, eight dead (22 May 2013) Gimr and Beni Halba tribes sign treaty in South Darfur (3 May 2013) Darfur village ‘almost entirely burned’ by Beni Halba (1 May 2013)