Rapid Support Forces, camel militia assemble in Tawila, North Darfur

Large numbers of paramilitary Rapid Support Forces are concentrating south of Tabit, in Tawila locality, North Darfur, since Friday. Large groups of militiamen on camelback, in military uniforms, appeared too in the area. Some of them abducted two young shepherds, and stole 200 sheep near Arasho, in North Darfur, on Monday.

Multiple sources told Radio Dabanga, that militia forces in more than 100 armoured vehicles arrived at Wadi Marra, south of Tabit, on Friday. Two days later, another contingent of Rapid Support Forces (RSF) arrived in about 80 vehicles, and settled in El Hilla El Jedida, north of Shangil Tobaya.

“The arrival of the militia forces has led to a mass displacement of people in the area,” a villager said. “Almost all the residents of Arasho, Tangarar, Hemeda, Nemra, Dali, Da’aly, Dalma, Hashaba, Um Beji, Tekuj, and Hillet Masalit fled towards Tabit, Shangil Tobaya, and Zamzam camp near El Fasher.”

Others told Radio Dabanga that large groups of militiamen on camelback, in military uniforms, have also appeared in the area. “They are assaulting and robbing people whenever they can,” one of them said.

He described how a group of “these Janjaweed” assaulted a group of herders, grazing their sheep in the area of Arasho, south of Tabit. “They threatened and beat them, after which they left, taking 200 sheep, and two young herders with them. A bit later, the same men beat up, and robbed a number of villagers, who were on their way from East Jebel Marra to Shangil Tobaya.”