Pro-government militia carries out series of attacks

Pro-government militia were accused of looting a market and homes in Tabit, North Darfur, in addition to beating and looting citizens near the town over the weekend, a source told Radio Dabanga. There are no reports of casualties so far. On Friday, 21 September, a local government militia from Shangil Tobai and Dar-El-Salam, North Darfur, carried out attacks in Tabit during praying time, witnesses told Radio Dabanga. The militia is led by Ibrahim Abodhar, sources reported. They added the militia, wearing military uniforms, looted Tabit’s market and stole money from passersby. Witnesses pointed out the gunmen, driving 35 vehicles, carried out the attacks in front of the town’s army commander. According to local residents he was informed about the incidents and asked to protect them and their properties. The army commander claimed army officers could not intervene and control these militias, a souce said. The commander explained the militia only follows orders from Defense Minister Abdul Rahim Mohammed Hussein, in Khartoum, the source added. Two homes looted On Saturday morning, the pro-government militia looted two homes in Tabit, residents informed Radio Dabanga. Speaking to the army commander, residents threatened to clash with the militias if he did not do anything to stop them, sources added. According to residents, the army commander was then forced to intervene and expel the pro-government militia from Tabit. They said that after leaving town, the militia was heading to El-Fasher via a road that passes by Zam Zam camp, also in North Darfur. 15 civilians beaten On their way to El-Fasher, the militia was accused of looting a box truck carrying 15 civilians on Saturday afternoon, a victim told Radio Dabanga. He added the soldiers insulted and severely beat the passengers, which included a renowned sheikh called Suleiman Abu Donga, 75 years-old. The victims had attended a funeral at Zam Zam camp and were traveling back to Tabit in North Darfur, a witness explained. He said the box truck was stopped by the militia’s convoy about three kilometers away from Tabit, who started questioning and insulting the passengers for no apparent reason. A source told Radio Dabanga the passengers were severely beaten and had their money and cell phones stolen by the pro-government militia. He added the pro-government militia stole six million Sudanese pounds from one the passengers.