Militia and paramilitary forces clash in North Darfur; two wounded

Two pro-government militiamen were wounded on Wednesday after clashing with paramilitary troops of the Central Reserve Forces (also known as Abu Tira) in Kabkabiya, North Darfur.Witnesses told Radio Dabanga that four militiamen ambushed and opened fire on the Abu Tira who were driving a water tanker truck to a well. The militiamen managed to steal the truck.However, military reinforcements arrived in the area to support the Abu Tira. They exchanged fire with the four militiamen, wounding two. A third militant was arrested and the fourth fled.Sources said the wounded militants were transferred to a hospital in Kabkabiya the hospital was immediately abandoned by its patients who feared a possible retaliatory attack on the hospital by the pro-government militia.On 5 May, a number of people were killed and wounded in violent clashes between Abu Tira and pro-government militants in the area of Tour, Nertiti locality in Central Darfur.File photo: A patch used by Sudan’s Central Reserve Police, also known as Abu Tira, shows an eagle with spread wings, clutching a red sun, over an Eye of Horus. The Arabic text below the eagle reads, “Central Reserve: The Police in Service of the People.” Above the eagle, and atop two sheaves of wheat, is the name of Allah. The word to the left of the eagle is “duty”; the word to the right is “country.” (Enough Project/Flickr)Related: Fighting between paramilitary and pro-government militants ‘kills 7’ (5 May 2013)