African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies ACJPS | المركز الافريقي لدراسات العدالة و السلام
(15 August, 2023) African Centre for Justice and Peace (ACJPS) is deeply concerned about the deteriorating security in Darfur region. ACJPS condemns the violent arbitrary attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and the affiliated Arab militias against Sudanese citizens in Darfur region. We call upon the Sudanese authorities to conduct an independent and impartial investigation into the incidents that took place in Sirba locality in West Darfur between 21 and 26 July 2023 that resulted into 34 deaths and injuring of dozens of people in addition to displacement of approximately 2,000 others. Perpetrators must be held accountable.
On 21 July 2023, 15 armed Arabs from Awlad Kelib raided Al Maahad neighborhood and looted property including 8 horses and 13 goats. A group of armed locals traced and followed the footprints of the alleged perpetrators which led them to Namati village located 3km South of Sirba town. Upon reaching the village, the group ambushed the alleged perpetuators resultantly killing one person and injuring three others. The following day, another group of armed Erenga
clashed with Arabs at Jabel Balaa Forash located approximately 1km East of Sirba resulting into the death of three men whilst others sustained serious injuries.
In a separate incident, the RSF supported by armed Arabs attacked Sirba, a town located 65 km North of El Geneina on 24, 25 and 26 July 2023 in the wee hours of the night. It is alleged that the Arab fighters dressed in plain clothes and RSF uniform were from the Awlad Zet, Awlad Janub, Awlad Marmi, Awlad Kelib, Shegerat, Awlad Eid as well as the Tama & Mema tribes.
According to a reliable source, the attacks were commanded by Brigadier Muhammad Wedah, Mr. Ageed Khamis Beraeis, and Mr. Ageed Yagoub Asseel who led a group of approximately 950 armed men who arrived in the town on 150 motorbikes, 100 horses, 150 camels and 30 vehicles; 15 of which belonged to the RSF while 15 could not be identified as they were mud-stained.
Another reliable source informed ACJPS that the police officers stationed in Sirba together with armed civilians repelled the attack on the first two days but unfortunately on the third day the RSF and armed Arabs were able to access the town and burned down the market and residential houses resultantly killing an enormous number of people. Additionally, all government/public buildings
including schools, hospitals, Local Council Executive Director’s Office were looted and burned down by the RSF and its supporting militias.
Another source informed ACJPS that the attacks were launched from the Southeast direction of the town were 200 armed Erenga men and 3 police vehicles were believed to be positioned. He also confirmed that the armed Arabs & RSF were prevented by armed Erenga from entering Sirba on the first day of the attack. Subsequently, more Arabs were mobilized by RSF from various parts of Sirba, Jebel Moon, and DarMugta and returned to attack the locality for the second time but they were again confronted by the police and armed Erenga. However, the Sudanese army (SAF), Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), and Sudanese People Liberation Army were withdrawn a few hours before the attacks.
The attacks resulted into the death of 34 people while 38 sustained injuries and 19 others have since gone missing. The causalities were transferred to Kulbus, Gereda in Chad for medical attention.
The source further stated that about 60 shops, 17,000 houses, hospital, ED office, and three schools were completely looted and the market completely burnt down.
According to another source, 22 cases of rape are believed to have been committed by the RSF and the armed Arabs. Currently, RSF is present in Sirba with 12 vehicles positioned at the military base and the armed Arabs have taken control of the police station and patrol the rest of the town.
On 1 August 2023, seven people who were believed to have been abducted by RSF and Armed Arabs during the attacks returned but 12 people are still missing.
Displacement of residents
The total population of Sirba is estimated at 19,000 households. All residents including the IDPs fled to neighboring areas. Over 1,531 families have crossed the border to Chad and currently living in Gerena village located 15 km South of Berak, Kamkama, Hela Gojak, Jatak, Gharuba and Sigera while approximately 117 households were displaced to Kulbus locality and others fled to Selea locality and North of Sirba mainly Gemri, Rufida, Dolosi, Tambostat, and Abou
lejam.
Background
Following the outbreak of the armed conflict between SAF and RSF that started in Khartoum and spread to El Geneina and other parts of the country, SAF undertook a wide militarization of the locals among various communities to confront the RSF and its supporting militias. Reliable information indicate that the Erenga were armed by SAF and encouraged to join the conflict against RSF. It is alleged that this could have triggered RSF to announced its intention and the subsequent attacks on areas where the Sudanese army has armed the civilians.
Names of people who were killed during the attacks
Abu Bakar Abdallah Almah (m)
Babkir Adam (m)
Hafiz Suar (m)
Mubarak Suar (m)
Bashir Ahmed Abakar (m)
Ashiger Abakar Yahya (m)
Abdul Banat Ishaq Abakar (m)
Mohamed Mater Longman (m)
Mohamed Ibrahim Osman (m)
Yahya Abakar Kiter (m)
Abdul Yahya Abakar (m)
Aliem Bagari Yahya Osman (m)
Mohamed Ishaq Abdallah (m)
Abdallah Dalal (m)
Fadul Ageed Ajery (m)
Aboh Tohah Abdallah (m)
Hassan Mohamed Badawi (m)
Hamidah Naseeb Alamh (m)
Kulthum Abakar Ali (f)
Mohamed Aldoom Yahya (m)
Ajbaan Ishaq Abakar (m)
Adam Yousef Ishaq (m)
Adam Younies (f)
Ahmed Ishaq (m)
