Sheikh slain in widespread militia raids in South Darfur

Several militiamen raided a number of camps in Gireida, South Darfur, leaving one sheikh dead and eight farmers injured on Thursday evening.Sources told Radio Dabanga the attacks began when the militiamen claimed to be looking for their lost cattle and began firing random shots in the air at the Babanusa camp, which was later raided. Sheikh Hussein Abd Al Rasool was killed inside his house.The same group then beat and flogged eight displaced people who were working on their farms in the Argut Fait area, south of Gireida. The injured included two children and three women. Sources said the farmers’ eight donkeys were stolen.In the area of Zuruk, the gunmen flogged and beat several displaced people who were on their way to fetch water. The militiamen five horse carts form the victims.Eyewitnesses say the situation in Gireida is “very serious” and demand protection from the United Nations and humanitarian agencies.File photo: UN Photo/Fred NoyRelated: Militiamen gun-down Central Darfur sheikh (11 October 2013)