Sudan: Clashes leave 17 people dead in Darfur region as of June 13

Event

The UN confirmed on Thursday, June 13, that at least 17 people had been killed and 15 others wounded in clashes between nomads and residents in Wadi Salih locality's Deleij village (Central Darfur state) earlier in the week. The fighting also resulted in the burning of over 100 houses. Medical officials affiliated with Sudan's political opposition claimed that Janjaweed militias fired on civilians at a market in the village on Monday, June 10, killing at least ten people.

Similar clashes are to be expected in Darfur region over the coming weeks.

Context

The Darfur region, located in the west of the country, is affected by extremely poor security conditions. Fighting - primarily between rebel groups and government forces - has been ongoing in the region since 2003. Ethnic clashes are also increasingly frequent.

Advice

Many Western governments advise against nonessential travel to Sudan and against all travel to certain regions, including the five Darfur states, South Kordofan, Blue Nile, certain areas of North Kordofan, the Djebel Ouanat region, Dinder National Park, and Sennar state. Due to a high risk of terrorist activity, always be on guard when visiting sites that are potential terrorist targets (e.g. public transportation, train stations, ports, airports, public or government buildings, embassies or consulates, international organizations, schools and universities, religious sites, markets, hotels and restaurants frequented by foreigners/Westerners, festivals, etc.).