Abu Matariq, February 19 (Darfur24)
Two traders were killed and a third injured in an armed robbery attack targeting fuel merchants on the road linking Al-Daein and Abu Matariq in East Darfur State.
Eyewitnesses and traders told Darfur24 that the incident occurred in the Bawat al-Khail area on Tuesday evening while the victims were traveling toward Al-Daein, the state capital.
They added that unknown gunmen opened fire on the vehicle, killing two traders on the spot and injuring a third, who was transferred to Al-Daein Hospital for treatment.
A trader told Darfur24 that a report was immediately filed with the Rapid Support Forces in Al-Daein and Abu Matariq, but alleged that no pursuit of the perpetrators followed.
The attack comes five days after another robbery incident targeting fuel traders arriving from the Raqibat border crossing with South Sudan, during which their funds were completely looted, traders said.
Traders in Al-Daein market called on the state’s civil administration to establish checkpoints along the road to secure commercial transport and protect traders, warning that continued attacks could disrupt the supply of goods to the city’s main market.