PDF leader murdered in West Darfur

Police and security agents are conducting widespread investigations into the killing of the coordinator of the Popular Defence Forces of Foro Baranga locality on Sunday evening.

Unknown gunmen shot Mohamad Ismail El Tayeb, the coordinator of the PDF, in front of his house and fled in a Toyota Hilux in the evening. Maj. General of the police forces, Tariq Atta Mohamad, told reporters yesterday that the West Darfur's security committee mobilised all regular military troops in the area.

They have closed the entrances and exits to Foro Baranga locality in an attempt to arrest the offenders. Atta Mohamad did not disclose whether they know the motive for the murder.

The PDF are locally based, organised, trained, and equipped Islamists units raised by the government to protect local communities. The combatants were mobilised and recruited through tribal leaders and Sheikhs when the armed conflict in Darfur sparked in 2003.

Stabbing

Taxidriver Mohamed Hassan was stabbed to death by an unknown man near Sese, east of El Geneina, on Sunday. His body was found inside a taxi near the main road between the state capital and Zalingei.

On Monday, one of his relatives told Radio Dabanga that they found Mohamad was murdered with a knife inside his taxi. The relative said he does not know the motive for the murder.