Security, militia assault, kill civilians in Darfur

On Thursday and Friday, a woman was killed, and several civilians injured in attacks by security forces and militiamen in Darfur. Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a listener said that an unidentified gunman broke into the house of Halima Nurein in Mershing, South Darfur, on Friday morning, and fired three bullets at her head. The mother of four died instantly.  In another incident in Mershing town, security troops opened fire on Mohamed Abulgasim Abdallah at 10pm on Thursday, when he refused to obey their orders to stop. Abdallah was on his way home. He had to be transferred to Nyala hospital for treatment. In Kass, in the northern part of South Darfur, elements of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) began firing bullets in the air during a wedding celebration at about 9pm on Thursday. “The shooting led to the injury of Kaltouma (71) and Adam Idris (9), and caused panic among residents of Kass”, an eyewitness reported to Radio Dabanga. The source added that on Friday RSF troops in Land Cruisers terrified the population of Kass, when they roamed the town, shooting into the air. Several shops and the market were closed. On Friday, trader Mohamed Omar was severely beaten by elements of the Security Forces in Tawila, North Darfur, after he had refused to pay their meals. A witness reported to Radio Dabanga that elements of the security apparatus in Tawila demanded from fuel dealer Mohamed Omar from El Fasher to pay their breakfast and lunch fees. “When he refused to do so, they beat him severely. He was immediately transferred to a hospital in Tawila.” File photo