More troops arrive at Nierteti, Central Darfur

The arrival of more troops of the Sudan Armed Forces, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, and other militiamen to Nierteti locality on Tuesday and today, is cause for great fear among the population of the area, also known as West Jebel Marra. The fighters, reportedly on their way to Guldo to battle the rebel forces in the area, assaulted and robbed a number of people.

Large groups of army soldiers and militia troops, riding in some 200 vehicles, and others on camels and horses, concentrated in the area of Fendo, 40 km northeast of Nierteti, today, witnesses told Dabanga.

The explained that the forces arrived from three directions. “The first group arrived from Zalingei, capital of Central Darfur, in dozens of vehicles this morning. They are commanded by the notorious militia leader, Abdelfatah Burhan.

“The second group, consisting of government-backed militiamen on camels and horses, came from Jebel Ahmar, east of Zalingei. They are commanded by Ali Yagoub and Ali Andala. As for the third and huge group, they arrived from Khor Ramla on Tuesday in at least 100 vehicles.”

According to villagers living in the area, the combatants are on their way to Guldo and Sero to fight the rebels there.

According to the sources, the government forces assaulted and robbed a number of people living in villages located between Zalingei , Nierteti, and Guldo, on Tuesday evening and today. “We are all living in terror, as these Janjaweed are constantly firing into the air, and may start plundering at any moment.”

On Monday, a large group of Rapid Support Forces and other militiamen entered the area of Nierteti town, and the town itself. They beat and whipped a number of villagers, seriously injuring seven of them.

In Nierteti town, shops and the market were closed, after a number of militiamen had refused to pay for the commodities taken.