Salamat torch Misseriya settlements near Mukjar, Central Darfur
At least 75 people were reportedly killed and dozens wounded in renewed violent clashes between the Misseriya and Salamat tribes, 3km west of Mukjar in Central Darfur. According to the witnesses, the hospital of Mukjar received about 38 wounded Misseriya for treatment. Sources from Mukjar told Radio Dabanga that at 11am on Monday about 600 Salamat gunmen on horseback attacked three Misseriya settlements, torching about 95 houses and seizing all the cattle. The Misseriya counter-attacked, resulting in clashes that lasted until about 5:30pm. The sources noted that the settlements put to the torch belonged to the families of Abu Azeeza, Mohamed Zein, and Abakar Kharita who himself was killed, along with his sons.The clashes caused 1,000 Misseriya families to flee to Mukjar, where they found refuge in the Health Security Centre as well as in the southern part of the town. The witnesses added that the clashes also led to the outbreak of large fires, which burned agricultural crops in the areas between Mukjar and Karo, and between Nezlei and Korbei.In addition, for two consecutive days, Mukjar residents and displaced people were unable to leave their houses to tend their farmlands or collect straw or firewood. The sources said that on Tuesday afternoon they heard sounds of heavy artillery coming “from far away”. A member of the Misseriya, Adam Elnur Gaddum, explained to Radio Dabanga that the clashes erupted on Monday when the Salamat attacked Misseriya settlements near Mukjar. He said that “about 15 houses” were burned. The Misseriya, Gaddum reported, counter-attacked and killed 42 Salamat. Nine Misseriya died and seven were injured. He added that the clashes continued on Tuesday in the area west of Mukjar and south of Bindisi. According to Mohamed Yagoub Abu Okaz, field commander of the Salamat, 97 Misseriya were killed, including four entire families, while three Salamat lost their lives. Speaking to Radio Dabanga, Abu Okaz said that the Salamat started the attack in the outskirts of Mukjar, “in response to the Misseriya’s recent assaults, without a reason”, in the areas of Abu Jaradil, Umm Dukhun, Elgara’aya, Elmuraddaf, and other areas in the locality of Bindisi.Tensions between the tribes have run high since an incident in Umm Dukhun in April, which escalated into running battles between thousands of tribesmen from both sides. A reconciliation conference was convened in Zalingei and on 1 July – in spite of sporadic flare-ups of violence between tribesmen – the omdas of the tribes announced they had “reached an agreement”.The UNHCR has said that as result of the tribal battles 50,000 people sought refuge in Chad within a short period of time, terming it the “largest influx of refugees from Sudan into Chad since 2005”.File photo Related: Misseriya, Salamat tribes clash at Bindisi market, Central Darfur (24 October 2013)Salamat and Misseriya tribes clash in Bindisi, West Darfur (3 October 2013)Renewed clashes between Darfur’s Salamat and Misseriya tribes (1 October 2013)
At least 75 people were reportedly killed and dozens wounded in renewed violent clashes between the Misseriya and Salamat tribes, 3km west of Mukjar in Central Darfur. According to the witnesses, the hospital of Mukjar received about 38 wounded Misseriya for treatment.
Sources from Mukjar told Radio Dabanga that at 11am on Monday about 600 Salamat gunmen on horseback attacked three Misseriya settlements, torching about 95 houses and seizing all the cattle.
The Misseriya counter-attacked, resulting in clashes that lasted until about 5:30pm. The sources noted that the settlements put to the torch belonged to the families of Abu Azeeza, Mohamed Zein, and Abakar Kharita who himself was killed, along with his sons.
The clashes caused 1,000 Misseriya families to flee to Mukjar, where they found refuge in the Health Security Centre as well as in the southern part of the town. The witnesses added that the clashes also led to the outbreak of large fires, which burned agricultural crops in the areas between Mukjar and Karo, and between Nezlei and Korbei.
In addition, for two consecutive days, Mukjar residents and displaced people were unable to leave their houses to tend their farmlands or collect straw or firewood. The sources said that on Tuesday afternoon they heard sounds of heavy artillery coming “from far away”.
A member of the Misseriya, Adam Elnur Gaddum, explained to Radio Dabanga that the clashes erupted on Monday when the Salamat attacked Misseriya settlements near Mukjar. He said that “about 15 houses” were burned. The Misseriya, Gaddum reported, counter-attacked and killed 42 Salamat. Nine Misseriya died and seven were injured. He added that the clashes continued on Tuesday in the area west of Mukjar and south of Bindisi.
According to Mohamed Yagoub Abu Okaz, field commander of the Salamat, 97 Misseriya were killed, including four entire families, while three Salamat lost their lives. Speaking to Radio Dabanga, Abu Okaz said that the Salamat started the attack in the outskirts of Mukjar, “in response to the Misseriya’s recent assaults, without a reason”, in the areas of Abu Jaradil, Umm Dukhun, Elgara’aya, Elmuraddaf, and other areas in the locality of Bindisi.
Tensions between the tribes have run high since an incident in Umm Dukhun in April, which escalated into running battles between thousands of tribesmen from both sides. A reconciliation conference was convened in Zalingei and on 1 July – in spite of sporadic flare-ups of violence between tribesmen – the omdas of the tribes announced they had “reached an agreement”.
The UNHCR has said that as result of the tribal battles 50,000 people sought refuge in Chad within a short period of time, terming it the “largest influx of refugees from Sudan into Chad since 2005”.
File photo
Related:
Misseriya, Salamat tribes clash at Bindisi market, Central Darfur (24 October 2013)
Salamat and Misseriya tribes clash in Bindisi, West Darfur (3 October 2013)
Renewed clashes between Darfur’s Salamat and Misseriya tribes (1 October 2013)
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