Nyala, September 17 (Darfur24)
Several people were killed and others, including women, were injured in armed clashes between two tribal groups in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur State, on Wednesday, according to residents and other sources.
Eyewitnesses told Darfur24 that clashes broke out Wednesday morning between groups from the Salamat and Shurfa tribes in the Al-Sareef neighborhood south of the city. Light and heavy weapons were used, resulting in deaths and injuries.
The witnesses said a Rapid Support Forces (RSF) military unit arrived at midday and separated the two sides.
Residents of southern Nyala also reported heavy gunfire from the direction of Barli Valley, which borders Al-Sareef, saying the violence was accompanied by looting and the burning of residential homes.
Multiple local sources said tensions began Monday following a social media dispute over the affiliation of a clan with either of the two groups. The dispute later escalated into armed violence.
The sources said authorities intervened and contained the situation on Monday, but clashes resumed Wednesday morning after armed groups arrived on motorcycles from outside Nyala and attacked the opposing side.
The two groups reportedly share a common origin, but one later separated and joined the Shurfa tribe. A dispute subsequently emerged over the use of the name of one of the tribe’s branches, which the other side rejected.
Wednesday’s fighting was among the rare recent instances of tribal clashes inside Nyala. South Darfur State continues to experience periodic armed conflicts between tribal groups, which often end with local peace conferences.