Nyala, December 10 (Darfur24)
Traders in Nyala, the capital of South Darfur, say they are facing a growing wave of attacks by armed groups targeting markets and surrounding neighborhoods.
A trader in Nyala’s Grand Market, who requested anonymity, told Darfur24 that there appears to be a “systematic campaign” against merchants in both the Grand Market and the Al-Junaynah bus station. He said traders are being monitored and tracked inside neighborhoods, their shops, and marketplaces.
According to the trader, five merchants have been attacked in the past ten days, including two kidnapping cases. The most recent incident occurred yesterday, when an armed group shot a trader three times in the electronics market. He said the assailants attempted to leave the shop with a mobile phone without paying, and opened fire when the trader confronted them.
The attack follows the closure of numerous phone shops in the market on Monday in solidarity with a merchant kidnapped on Sunday morning, as well as another trader abducted last week.
Eyewitnesses told Darfur24 that RSF intelligence launched a wide security operation, detaining several individuals from the phone market in connection with the incidents. Some were later released, while others remain in custody.
Citizens who spoke to Darfur24 warned the public not to accompany anyone claiming to be a security officer unless they show proper identification. They reported that armed men wearing Rapid Support Forces uniforms were involved in several incidents, despite not being affiliated with the force.