Global General

Tribal clashes leave dozens dead in west Sudan

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-06-20 09:46

KHARTOUM - Rival Arab tribes clashed in the western Sudan region of Darfur in recent days, leaving dozens of people dead, local media reported Saturday.

Some reports put the death toll at 48, while some others reported 50 dead. Both figures could not be independently confirmed immediately.

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The reports said that the rival Rizeigat and Misseriya tribes clashed fiercely in the settlement of Garsila in West Darfur Friday.

Leaders of the Misseriya tribe were quoted as saying that members of the Rezeigat tribe riding in nine vehicles attacked Misseriya villages and the fighting lasted from Friday morning to sunset.

The skirmishes, which also left an unknown number injured, were reportedly triggered by the killing of two members of the Misseriya tribe early this year.

A spokesman for the joint UN-African Union peacekeeping mission said a team of peacekeepers were dispatched to the area Saturday, but they were denied the access to the conflict site.

Darfur has been plagued for years by conflicts between government troops and local rebel groups such as the Justice and Equality Movement as well as clashes between rival tribes.