Al-Malm, March 16 (Darfur24)
Looting of civilians and commercial vehicles has escalated in recent days along the Nyala–El Fasher road in South and North Darfur states, residents said on Monday.
Residents told Darfur24 that the stretch of road from Al-Malm through the Shangil Tobaya area has witnessed repeated armed attacks targeting passengers and travelers, whose belongings were taken at gunpoint.
Abdul Rahman Musa, a trader who operates between Al-Malm and Shangil Tobaya, said they had faced repeated attacks over the past two weeks. The latest incident occurred on Saturday when a passenger vehicle traveling from Marshang to the weekly Al-Malm market was attacked, leaving several passengers injured and their belongings stolen.
Musa added that commercial activities between Al-Malm and Shangil Tobaya have completely halted due to the deteriorating security situation.
Meanwhile, trader Yassin Ibrahim from Shangil Tobaya said the local administration had issued a decision to suspend trade between the two areas following repeated attacks on residents from Shangil Tobaya.
Ibrahim noted that commanders of the Rapid Support Forces in Al-Malm and Shangil Tobaya had failed to secure the road linking Nyala and El Fasher, despite the widespread presence of their forces in bases and checkpoints.
He also accused unnamed parties within the Rapid Support Forces of protecting those responsible for the attacks.
The Nyala–El Fasher road is one of the most vital routes in the Darfur region, linking the largest city in South Darfur with the capital of North Darfur and serving as a key corridor for the movement of goods and passengers between the states.