100 estimated killed in S. Darfur tribal clashes

 Fighting between two Arab tribes in South Darfur has left at least 100 people killed. The Sa’ada and Abbala Rizeigat tribes began fighting on Tuesday. Several areas of the state were reportedly affected including Gardud, Karo, Yara, Kidingeer, Keela, and Amara Gedida. Around 11 villages were burnt and dozens of people have disappeared, among them women and children. There are still corpses on the field.

A source told Radio Dabanga that the Abbala Rizeigat fighters made use of four wheel drive trucks mounted with heavy guns. Yesterday Radio Dabanga learnt that dozens who were wounded in the fighting were transported to Kass Hospital and Nyala Military Hospital. Among the dead is Omda Adam Ismail Hamed, a sheik of the Sa’ada.

In a possibly related incident, six people were killed last week, two of them on the spot and four who died after being transported to the hospital in Nyala for medical treatment after a clash between the two parties over theft of livestock.

One source on the side of the Sa’ada accused the Border Intelligence Guards of involvement on the side of the Rizeigat. He added that the Sa’ada are being attacked because they are considered as part of the Mahadi Arabs who fought last week with Ta’alba in Kass town. Twenty-five (25) people were killed and more than 40 injured in the fighting in Kass town last week, and the Boro Boro district of the city was burnt down.

In response to the violence in Kass, a reconciliation committee formed headed by Ibrahim Abdullah, an advisor to the governor of South Darfur.