Fighting between paramilitary and pro-government militants ‘kills 7’

A number of people were killed and wounded in violent clashes between paramilitary troops (also known as Abu Tira) and pro-government militants in the area of Thur, Nertiti locality in Central Darfur. According to several witnesses, fighting broke out on Saturday and continued until the next day as a result of a dispute between the two sides. One of the witnesses claims that the fighting was caused by clashes between the armed forces and pro-government militants at the market of Thur on Saturday. It was added that the matter escalated into fighting after both sides recruited assistance. The fighting resulted in the death of five militants and two Abu Tira troopers while 15 others were injured on both sides, witnesses continued. The wounded were taken to a hospital in Nertiti for treatment while fighting continued.Transportation between Thur, Nertiti, Zalingei and Nyala and Nyala, Kass, Zalingei and Nertiti has stopped since Saturday. Local sources report that a number of passenger buses and commercial vehicles, en route to Nyala, are stuck in Zalingei and Nertiti and cars and buses coming from Nyala are stuck in Kass. Nertiti’s market has been shut down since Saturday as well and its residents are forced to stay inside their homes.Photo: “Abu Tira” forces (file)