Key roads have been cut or put at risk in North Darfur after the spread of fighting between defected paramilitary forces, the army, and the Sudan Revolutionary Front. 

In the last week dozens of fighters were killed in separate clashes involving these armed groups in several areas such as Sarafaya, Fanga and Kutum Locality, with the most serious clash reported in the latter area.

The road between the state capital El Fasher and Kutum has been closed for several days, Radio Dabanga reports, citing attacks and looting by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) based in Kutum Locality.

A trader from Kutum complained about the closure of the road, saying trade was halted after RSF militia overran areas of Hashaba, Um Sidir, and Baashim, northeast of Kutum town on Sunday.

Elsewhere in the state, residents of Malha report that fuel supplies from Khartoum have stopped arriving owing to insecurity. This has caused a shortage of drinking water because of the shortage of fuel to operate water pumps.

“The water stations have stopped operating because there is no fuel. Traffic from Omdurman to El Malha locality is halted because of the rampant insecurity in North Darfur,” said a resident of the town.

The defected RSF paramilitary forces are reportedly overrunning more areas of North Darfur. The group is loyal to Musa Hilal, a militia commander and tribal leader of the Arab Mahameed tribe who formerly fought for the Sudanese government.

On Monday the militia attacked Donki Baashim in Kutum locality, North Darfur, resulting in the killing of at least ten people, and the wounding of more than 20 others, according to a member of the state parliament.

Mohamed Ahmed Minawi, an MP representing Kutum constituency, said that ten people were killed and more than 20 others wounded, while the town water station was destroyed in the attack. The wounded have been transferred to Mellit and El Fasher for treatment.

Another witness speaking to Radio Dabanga corroborated the attack, but put the number of dead at 15 or more, saying more than 30 others were wounded during the RSF attacks.

However, the Sudanese Army Forces (SAF) report that they have reestablished control over Haskanita area. Also there are reports that citizens who fled rebel attacks in El Taweisha and Alliet Jarelnabi in eastern North Darfur are gradually returning to their homes.

Reporting by Radio Dabanga

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