Third day of attacks in Saraf Jidad
Armed herders allegedly attacked the area of Saraf Jidad, Sirba locality, in West Darfur on Tuesday November 20 for the third day in a row, Radio Dabanga has learned.
An armed group of herders attacked Saraf Jidad camp in Sirba locality on Sunday morning and allegedly kidnapped three policemen.
The reason for the attack, according to the perpetrators, is because they believe members of the community police killed a herder. They claimed to have found his body at Mruro area, five kilometers north of Saraf Jidad on Saturday. Additionally, the herders are being accused of torturing more than 60 camp residents and looting of homes, shops and properties.
Omda of Saraf Jidad, Yahya Umla, described the situation in the region as ‘chaotic’. He claims that militias have been roaming the area since Friday and are still present, causing residents to flee, while others stay inside their homes in fear and panic.
Ulma told Radio Dabanga that livestock was looted on Tuesday and that ‘chaos prevails in the area’, claiming it will not stop unless the government sends ‘capable troops’ to the area to contain the situation.
JEM
On the other hand, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) condemned the attacks, describing them as ‘pro-government militia attacks’.
Bashir al-Sanosi, adviser to movement’s leadership, told Radio Dabanga that the militants attacked the area of Saraf Jidad after looting the local police station.
Sanosi said he holds the state authorities responsible for the attacks, adding that ‘the perpetrators are loyal to the National Congress Party and their arms are supplied by the regime as well’.
The adviser continued that the state authorities are also responsible for burning farms in the areas of Bir Dagig and Kendebe about two weeks ago.
He accused the government of West Darfur of ‘knowing about the burning of farms on forehand; with the purpose of starving residents and displacing them, to make room for new settlers’, he added to Radio Dabanga from El-Geneina.
Related: Herders kidnap police, injure displaced (20 November 2012)
Armed herders allegedly attacked the area of Saraf Jidad, Sirba locality, in West Darfur on Tuesday November 20 for the third day in a row, Radio Dabanga has learned.
An armed group of herders attacked Saraf Jidad camp in Sirba locality on Sunday morning and allegedly kidnapped three policemen.
The reason for the attack, according to the perpetrators, is because they believe members of the community police killed a herder. They claimed to have found his body at Mruro area, five kilometers north of Saraf Jidad on Saturday. Additionally, the herders are being accused of torturing more than 60 camp residents and looting of homes, shops and properties.
Omda of Saraf Jidad, Yahya Umla, described the situation in the region as ‘chaotic’. He claims that militias have been roaming the area since Friday and are still present, causing residents to flee, while others stay inside their homes in fear and panic.
Ulma told Radio Dabanga that livestock was looted on Tuesday and that ‘chaos prevails in the area’, claiming it will not stop unless the government sends ‘capable troops’ to the area to contain the situation.
JEM
On the other hand, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) condemned the attacks, describing them as ‘pro-government militia attacks’.
Bashir al-Sanosi, adviser to movement’s leadership, told Radio Dabanga that the militants attacked the area of Saraf Jidad after looting the local police station.
Sanosi said he holds the state authorities responsible for the attacks, adding that ‘the perpetrators are loyal to the National Congress Party and their arms are supplied by the regime as well’.
The adviser continued that the state authorities are also responsible for burning farms in the areas of Bir Dagig and Kendebe about two weeks ago.
He accused the government of West Darfur of ‘knowing about the burning of farms on forehand; with the purpose of starving residents and displacing them, to make room for new settlers’, he added to Radio Dabanga from El-Geneina.
Related: Herders kidnap police, injure displaced (20 November 2012)
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