NEW SERIOUS THREATS AGAINST CIVILIANS IN DARFUR AND CHAD

October 9, 2009

        
Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy is extremely disturbed by reports that confirm continuous military attacks against civilians. These new attacks are a result of escalated fighting between the Sudanese regime’s Janjaweed Arab Militias, the Chadian Opposition Forces and the SLA and JEM Rebels. Damanga sources have confirmed that the attacks were initiated under the orders of the Sudanese government, during the month of Ramadan and Eid Al-fitr al-Mubarak (late August 2009-September 2009).  
 
Damanga sources have also confirmed the nature of these attacks as purely strategic: The Sudanese government plans to “clear” the Darfur region to allow its forces to easily access the Republic of Chad. With such easy entry into neighboring Chad, the Sudanese forces will be able to launch a massive overthrow attack against Chadian President Idris Debbie and will consequently gain the power to remove all Rebels and non- Arab Darfuris from the area. 
Damanga sources confirm the following significant details about the rapid movement of Sudanese forces along with Arab Janjaweed Malitia and Chadian rebels around "Kutom” area to the Abu-gamra and Ain siro area:
- 1000 thousand small trucks carrying heavy machines were seen moving through the region.
- 150 hundred and fifty big trucks loaded with supplies, ammunition, and solders entered the region.
- 25 advanced Tanks passed through the area.
- 10 Anti airplane missiles were launched.
-  Extensive and swift air strike over Chad Capitol N'Djamena and other major cities was highly considered to back up and cover the troops during the attacks.
- Note: The exact number of troops that have moved through the area is still unknown due to the continuous army build-up operations. The surprise attacks against Chad are expected culminate within the next few days or weeks.  
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In the Northern region of Darfur, Major General Yagoub Ismail, notorious for his “clean out the land” warfare methods, was reportedly appointed and promoted to the Al-fashir base following a special ceremony under the direction of President Al-Bashir in Khartoum. Known as "Abtorka" in Darfuri language, meaning "Thunder" for his cruelty against innocent people, General Yagoub directed the recent attacks against North Darfur Villages in Korma, Am bro, Ain Siro, Mal lit East, and the North Jabel Mara Mountains Area. These attacks were followed by airstrikes, missile strikes, and tank warfare that extended into western Darfur around Al-geneina area including the Serif Omra, Selia, Dowait, and Kuma Agura regions. The total causalities are estimated to be more than 30 civilians.
 
Tens of thousands have been affected directly by these attacks and have been forced to flee their villages as a result. 90% of these individuals have been blocked from reaching refugee camps and cut off from water supplies due to Janjaweed tactics. UNAMID Forces in Darfur have been unable to assist and rescue these individuals as well.
While these refugees remain stranded, Sudanese Intelligence forces and the Janjaweed Arabs Militias continue to attack towns and camps- raping, looting, and assassinating innocent civilians indiscriminately. The western region of Darfur has been severely affected by these attacks. Damanga would like to recognize those individuals that have been killed over the past month as a result of these attacks. The following victims have been identified by Damanga sources:
•    An old man over 80 years old named Haj Mohamed was slaughtered at midnight inside his home at Serif Omra area east Al-geneina west Darfur and looted of his belongings. Attackers related to the government security intelligence conducted the killing. Their reasoning for killing him remains unclear.
•    Mr Abdul aziz Hamza, age 35, who recently arrived from Libya where he spent many years as an annual worker, was killed inside his home at Ker dang Camp eastern Al-geneina during the night and looted of all his money and properties.
•    Mr. Ibrahim Abdul banat, 35 years old, from the Massaleit tribe, was attacked at 9:00 pm inside Ardamata Town Market, East Al-geneina. Mr. Abdul banat was married and left a widow and 2 children behind. Damanga sources have confirmed that 4 armed men with Security uniforms killed the victim and drove away in a small truck.
•    Mr. Ibrahim Khamis, 25 years old from the Gimir Tribe, was attacked around 8 pm while he was walking inside the Hai al-thowra district of Al-geneina. The attackers were reportedly two armed Janjaweed men.
•    Ustaz Babekir, a high school teacher, was attacked and killed inside his home at 12 pm midnight in the Jabel district west Al-geneina town. Mr. Babikir, member of the Zagawa tribe, was around 37 years old, married, and a father to many children. Damanga sources claim that his murder was a result of his suspected sympathy for the Darfur rebels, JEM.
•    Mr. Ishag Adam, 46 Years old, related to the Massaleit tribe, was beaten to death by several Security Intelligence officials around 10 pm while he was walking in District of Hai Al-tadamon inside the town of Al-geniena. Damanga sources claim that the victim was accused of supporting Darfur rebels.
•    A new arrival from Europe was gunned down on the 3rd day after his arrival in Sudan in front of his new home. His name is unknown. Sources claim that his murder is a result of suspicions that his move to Sudan was due to his sympathy for Darfur rebels.
 
  
It is evident that the violence in Darfur has not stopped and continues to escalate at a rapid pace. Damanga Coalition for Freedom and Democracy is therefore calling on the US and the UN to immediately intervene to stop this catastrophe and hold Al-bashir and his regime accountable to the ICC for their crimes against humanity; the US and the Obama Administration must fulfill their promise to save the lives in Darfur and Chad.