Zalingei, May 07 (Darfur24)
An armed group stormed Zalingei prison in Central Darfur on Wednesday, freeing dozens of detainees and triggering violent clashes that left several people injured, according to eyewitnesses and medical sources.
Witnesses told Darfur24 that the attack followed the killing of a gunman during a dispute in the “Columbia” market earlier this week. After the suspected killer was arrested and detained, relatives of the dead man reportedly mobilized a heavily armed group to force his release.
An eyewitness said the attackers first surrounded the prison on Tuesday in an unsuccessful attempt before returning on Wednesday on motorcycles and in larger numbers. The gunmen opened fire on prison guards and Rapid Support Forces personnel before storming the facility and freeing their relative, while dozens of other detainees escaped into nearby neighborhoods amid the chaos.
The witness added that intense clashes erupted inside and around the prison compound, with heavy gunfire exchanged between the attackers and RSF forces. Several detainees were wounded during the fighting.
A medical source at Zalingei Hospital confirmed receiving five injured detainees, some in serious condition, in addition to wounded members of the armed group and RSF fighters who were transferred to other undisclosed locations.
The assault sparked widespread panic across Zalingei, with many traders shutting down shops in the city’s main market amid fears of further violence and deteriorating security conditions.