Soldiers clash in Darfur: seven killed, “tensions high”

Seven Sudanese soldiers were killed in clashes in Khazan Tunjur in Darfur on Wednesday, and four soldiers sustained injuries. Three lieutenants were arrested on charges of stealing and selling weapons.

A source in East Jebel Marra said that arrests over the stealing of weapons from the garrison storage caused the fighting between the soldiers. Machine guns, RPG's and Kalashnikovs were stolen. “About a hundred pieces are reportedly stolen,” the source reported to Radio Dabanga.

Garrison commander Mohamed Khair Awad arrested three lieutenants: Ibrahim Hamid, Ibrahim Saleh, and Abdelbasset Harran. They are accused of selling the stolen weapons.

The arrests led to confrontations between supporters of the army commander and supporters of the three lieutenants. Seven of the supporters from both sides were killed in the fighting. “The arrested officers have been deported to El Fasher on Thursday by helicopter,” the source added.

“There is a very tense situation in the area, because the soldiers of the garrison have become divided into their tribes and clans. The majority of the soldiers come from North Kordofan state.”