Army forces, militiamen clash in Tawila, North Darfur

At least 13 men were killed and wounded in a gunfight between army forces and militiamen in Tawila locality on Monday.

Speaking to Radio Dabanga, a herdsman told Radio Dabanga that the fighting broke out after militiamen had attacked a group of herders in the area east of Tabit.

“The gunmen, believed to belong to the militia of Badur Abu Kineish, arrived at the area in seven vehicles, and stole 2,000 head of cattle and 2,00 sheep and goats at gunpoint,” he reported.

“The herders reported the theft to the commander of the Tawila military garrison, who immediately sent his forces to capture the thieves. They found them north of Tabit, at a distance of less than a kilometre from the village.

“In the ensuing gunfight, seven militiamen were killed and three injured, while three army soldiers sustained bullet wounds. The army troops were able to recover the livestock.”

He added that the militiamen returned to the area on Monday afternoon, and launched “another, even more fierce attack” on herders. “They again stole large number of cattle and sheep, but the army commander said that he would not send his troops a second time that day.”