Retaliatory Militia Attacks Kill Civilians and Displace Thousands Near Al-Tina

Several civilians were killed and dozens injured after the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) militia launched a new wave of ethnically motivated attacks on about six villages near the town of Al-Tina in North Darfur State, forcing thousands of residents to flee into neighboring Chad.

The attacks came just days after major military operations by the Joint Force allied with the Sudanese Armed Forces enabled it to seize control of the Abu Qamra area in North Darfur State, as well as Kulbus and its surrounding areas in West Darfur State, following intense battles against the RSF.

Ahmed Ibrahim, a survivor of the attacks who reached Al-Tina, told Sudan Tribune that a large RSF force had begun launching retaliatory attacks on Wednesday targeting six villages along the road linking Umbro locality with Al-Tina in North Darfur State.

He said the attacks resulted in a large number of casualties that have yet to be fully counted. The militia also burned markets and homes, filled in water wells, and looted livestock, causing severe shortages of water and food and forcing many residents to flee on foot to Chad.

According to Ibrahim, the villages targeted in the attacks were Garboura, Orua, Om Marahik, Kurbia, Abu Liha, and Ana Baji, all of which are inhabited by members of the African Zaghawa ethnic group.