Nine West Darfur villages torched in reprisal

Gunmen torched nine villages east of Kereinik, West Darfur, on Sunday and Monday.

The residents’ property, livestock, and harvests were taken. A witness explained that the raids followed the murder of a militiaman. He allegedly stole cattle from Murnei and herded them to Um Tajok. The cattle owners then persued the thief and killed him.

After his death, a large number of militiamen in the area gathered and set fire to the village of the cattle owners, as well as eight other villages: Um Kadoza, Taloma Helat Gimir, Greida, Um Dukhn, Aredeba Kuga, Shutuk, Khursial, Gadeir, and Endilba.

During the attacks, the men raided homes and robbed villagers of their belongings.

(OCHA)