December 12, 2008 (KHARTOUM) — Tribal fighting killed over 35 people and displaced hundreds of civilians in South Darfur on Friday. Elements from Fallata attacked their rival Habaniya tribe. Armed cattle rustlers, from the two tribes, wage regular against each other.

Equipped with heavy weapons, the assailants who came from Tullus attacked the rival tribe at mid day. Thirty-five members of Al-Falata tribe died in fighting with the Habaniya tribe while 17 tribesmen were wounded in the clashes.

Six policemen, including an officer, were among the killed people. They were attempting to stop the tribal conflict. Three of the attackers’ vehicles were destroyed.

The region is home to the Arab tribe, Habaniya, which is embroiled in a dispute with the ethnic African Falatta tribe which lives nearby. Both tribes are herders. Besides the cattle theft they also clash over the area’s resources.

Issa Mohamed Abdallah, a local official in Buram said the police is now totally controlling the area. He also said that more police troops were deployed between Buram and Tullus. The governor declared the state of emergency, he stressed.

Jaafar Ali Al-Gali, one of the Habaniya leaders called on the "uncontrolled groups" to not aggress unarmed citizens and abide by the signed agreements. He further urged the government to beef up security and achieve justice.

(ST)