Zalingei, January 20 (Darfur24)
Five people were killed and two others injured on Sunday after an armed dispute broke out during a social event in the town of Delibaya, southeast of Zalingei, in Central Darfur State.
A medical source at Zalingei Teaching Hospital, who requested anonymity, told Darfur24 that five civilians died, while two injured individuals were transferred to the hospital. One remains in critical condition with fractures to his legs and other parts of his body, while the second patient’s condition has stabilized.
An eyewitness from the area said the incident began when a young man saw his sister dancing with another man during the gathering. A heated argument erupted between the two due to a prior dispute, before the brother opened fire. Relatives of the other man then returned fire, leading to an exchange of gunshots that resulted in the immediate deaths of five people.
The witness added that local authorities intervened to transport the wounded, arrest several suspects, and contain the situation. However, he warned that dozens of armed men have since gathered in the area, raising fears of further confrontation.
Cities and rural areas across Darfur continue to witness similar incidents. Late last year, several people were killed and others wounded in comparable armed clashes in the town of Barda, in Kabkabiya locality, North Darfur.