Six dead as Ma’aliya, Rizeigat clash over sheep in East Darfur

Six people were killed and at least two others wounded in the area of Khamsat in Adila locality, East Darfur in a violent clash between a group of Ma’aliya and Rizeigat tribesmen on Friday. Multiple sources told Radio Dabanga that a group of Rizeigat on Friday stole 45 sheep from the area of Bakhit, 30km south of Abu Karinka town. A rescue team of Ma’aliya went out to track down the thieves, and clashed with them in the area of Khamsat. The sources said that six Rizeigat were killed. Two of the Ma’aliya were wounded. The Ma’aliya rescue team stole 700 sheep from the area of Khamsat, which is the homeland of the Rizeigat. The situation is very tense in the area, the sources said. They expected clashes to erupt at any time, in particular because of the large concentrations of tribesmen from both parties near Abu Jabra and El Jalabi in Adila locality, and as well near Bakhit in Abu Karinka locality. The sources demanded from the state authorities and the native administrators to immediately intervene to contain the conflict. File photo: Sheep grazing during the rainy season in West Kordofan