Local leaders: 260 killed, 150 villages burnt in N. Darfur

Local leaders from North Darfur indicate that betwen 260 and 270 people were killed as a result of the battle between Abbala and Beni Hussein tribesmen. They added that approximately 150 villages were burnt since the beginning of the fightings 10 days ago.Omar Abdullah, one of the leaders of al-Sref Beni Hussein tribes, spoke to Radio Dabanga on Wednesday, 17 January. He said that about 150 bodies are still lying out in the open, stressing that this amount has not increased in the last days.Abdullah revealed he buried 124 bodies himself. Among the buried, eight were of elderly women from the villages of Mujura and Medicis, and another 10 of children. They were all burned inside their houses, he pointed out. About 28 people are still missing, Abdullah added. Renewed clashes The tribal leader announced that renewed clashes between Abbala and Beni Hussein took place at the Adjiher area, located nine kilometers west of al-Sref Beni Hussein city on Wednesday. Two were killed and another two were wounded. Other areas in the locality are still lacking security, Abdullah noted. He told Radio Dabanga that women who try reaching their burnt villages to rescue their belongings are often raped, beat or insulted. Thousands of displaced are currently living in al-Sref Beni Hussein city and their condition is deteriorating, the leader said.   The displaced are running out of goods, humanitarian relief has not reached the locality and children are starting to die, according to Abdullah.He pointed out that one pound of sugar now costs 10 Sudanese pounds, adding that this is an extremely high price. Additionally, all vital roads -between al-Sref Beni Hussein and Saraf Omra and between Kabkabiya and Saraf Omra- are still closed. He appealed to UNAMID, to the African Union and to the United Nations to act immediately and save the al-Sref Beni Hussein residents.Radio Dabanga file photoRelated: Abbala, Beni Hussein tribal clashes move to C. Darfur, 12 killed (17 January 2013)