Marauding militias kill five, wound seven, kidnap three in North Darfur

Five people have reportedly died, seven – including a child – wounded, and another three kidnapped in militia attacks in Kabakabiya, North Darfur on Monday and Wednesday. Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that four armed militiamen rode their motorcycles into the livestock market in Kabkabiya on Monday evening “intent on theft”. The shop owners and public apparently fought back, which resulted in the death of two of the militiamen, as well as civilian Abdul Majid Yaqoub. Hawa Abdullah, Ibrahim Mohamed Adam, and 11-year-old Mohamed Adam are reported to be seriously injured. The proliferation of militiamen in the area caused shops to remain closed in the city on Tuesday and most citizens stayed home. On Wednesday, two displaced people were shot dead and another four injured when militiamen in Land Cruisers and riding motorcycles, horses, and camels opened fire on them. Witnesses in Kabkabiya city told Radio Dabanga that the people were on their way to tend their farms on the outskirts of the city. Adam Ahmed Ishaq and Musa Ibrahim died in the attack, while Mariam Mohamed, Adam Osman, Osman Ali, and Kamaruddin Abdullah were seriously injured. The militiamen then abducted three other displaced people who are still unaccounted for. Later on Wednesday, what witnesses describe as “the same group of militia” attempted to break into a shop in the city. “The security forces engaged them and managed to arrest two of the motor cyclists,” the witness said. The injured from both attacks have been taken to Kabkabiya hospital for treatment. File photo by Albert González Farran/Unamid