Sudan: At least 15 dead in tribal violence over camel theft

At least 15 people have been killed in fighting that broke out between two rival Sudanese tribes in a dispute over stolen camels.

The row, which erupted between the Hamr tribe and the Kababish in Western Sudan near the town of Nuhud, has also resulted in scores of injuries.

The dispute centres on the theft of camels that some tribesman from the Kababish tribe are alleged to have stolen three days ago from the Hamr tribe.

Image of tribal members gathering during a dispute between two tribe over stolen camels, in Sudan, April 2017

It is believed that several Hamr tribesmen began criminal proceedings at a local police station to recover the stolen property, but others decided to take the law into their own hands. They traced the stolen animals to an area known as the Green Valley, apprehended the alleged assailants and launched an attack resulting in the death of the suspected thief, at least six others and injuring scores of others.

Reports say that tribesmen from the Kababish then launched a revenge attack on the Hamr tribesman who were on their way this morning to the market in the Maqarinat area spraying groups   of people with bullets, killing at least eight people and injuring scores of others.

The dead bodies were taken to Nuhud hospital and according to eye witnesses the attackers were military cadets who used armed vehicles to carry out the attack. It is believed that they escaped to the north of the area and within minutes were being followed by a convoy of over 300 vehicles in pursuit of the suspects.

A local area security committee in Nuhud have held an emergency meeting in which a joint police and military force was assembled in an attempt to calm the situation and round up the assailants.

The official number of people killed has not been announced, but it is feared that the death toll may rise.

Image of tribal members gathering during a dispute between two tribe over stolen camels, in Sudan, April 2017