Attacks on IDP camps in West Darfur by gunmen resulted in the killing of eight camp residents and injury of dozens, while shooting still being heard .
The coordinator of Darfur IDP camps said in a statement received by (Darfur 24) on Monday that a number of displaced people were burned alive inside their camps.
“What happened to the IDP camps , confirms the absence of authority and control of the scene by armed militias”.He added
“The armed militias used four-wheel drive vehicles loaded with heavy machine guns (dushkats) in their attack against the defenseless displaced people”. He stressed.
He said that the death toll so far reached eight people and dozens were wounded, adding that “IDPs were burned in their camps.
“An elderly man was killed and thrown in the fire until his body was charred, and there are dozens of missing people whose fate is not known until this moment and the region is still witnessing gunfire. He further added”
He pointed out that the situation still tense with fears of transferring the violence to Sisi camp, 30 km south of Al-Geneina city.
The statement demanded that the perpetrators be pursued and brought to justice without any restrictions or conditions.
Meanwhile, details of the incident date back to Sunday, when “an Arab man ” was killed near Krinding IDP camp, which led to development of the incident and clashes between the family of the deceased and the camp residents.
According to the state security committee , the incident resulted in the death of five people and wounding of six others who were transferred to Al-Geneina hospital for treatment. The statement added that a market near the camp was also burned.
“Darfur 24” monitored families of deceased belonging to Arab groups Monday morning gathering in front of the government secretariat, demanding the handover of the perpetrators within 24 hours, and they also forced the security committee to change its statement on the incidents that held the Arab groups responsible for shooting the camp residents.
After that the Arabs moved on board four-wheel-drive vehicles, some of which mounted with heavy machine guns heading towards Krinding IDP camp, to be surrounded before it was later burned.
Flames and smoke were seen rising intensively, and gunfire was heard from automatic and heavy machine guns, but “Darfur 24” could not independently verify whether there were victims .
Eye witnesses said that the western salvation Road linking Zalingei to Al-Geneina was completely closed at the Sisi camp for the displaced, 30 km south of Al-Geneina.
However, two other camps were also burned by the militants, while large numbers of displaced people, mostly children and women were seen fleeing the camps heading toward Al-Geneina city.
Head of IDP camps in West Darfur state, Dawood Arbab, told “Darfur 24” that on Monday morning gunmen, some of whom were wearing military uniforms, attacked and set fire to the camps of Krinding 2 and the Sultan.
He said that there were dead and wounded people , but they were unable to contact the various IDP camps to know the exact death toll due to the lack of communication services. He blamed the authority for deliberately cutting off the mobile phone services.
in a statement received by (Darfur 24), the West Darfur State Security Committee promised Monday to take decisive and strict legal measures against anyone who breaches security and encroaches on public and private property on the backdrop of a fire in the Rogo Rogo market in Krinding area, which resulted in a number of deaths and injuries .
(The Committee) affirmed that it will not compromise in resolving such security phenomena, breakdown of security and behaviors that contradict the spirit of national responsibility.
The State Security Committee SSC called on citizens to strengthen the state of security and stability so as to assist police and judicial law enforcement agencies arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice.