Herders raid West Darfur police station

A group of gunmen attacked a police station in Sirba, West Darfur on Monday evening, following the murder of a shepherd.

A witness told Radio Dabanga that armed men on board three Land Cruisers and others on the backs of camels, arrived at the police station in Abu Suruj at about 10pm. After they opened fire into the air, the policemen present at the station withdrew.

The attackers, reportedly armed herders, seized the weapons, ammunition and other equipment from the police station before leaving the scene. They also freed several detained herders and their livestock.

The raid came against the backdrop of a military intervention during a dispute between farmers and herders the preceding day. The witness explained that farmers attempted to chase away the grazing cattle from their lands.

Soldiers arrived at the scene and exchanged fire with the herders. One of the shepherds was killed, several others were detained and transferred to the police station in Abu Suruj. The cattle was also brought to the station.

In retaliation, the herdsmen gathered and attacked the station on Monday evening.