Murahilin militia steps up attacks

Residents of the southern Sudanese city of Wau, capital of the western Bahr al-Ghazal region, complain they have come under renewed attack from the Murahilin Arab militia. The Murahilin had recently abducted dozens of women and children, and carried out robberies and attacks in the Wau area, the BBC said on Monday. Residents told the BBC that “some 3,000 men” arrived in the city three weeks ago on trains and horseback and carried out the attacks. The Sudanese military - which has a large garrison in Wau - had been criticised for failing to act against the Murahilin, said the BBC. The military denies this.

Humanitarian sources told IRIN that the area around Wau had experienced recent attacks, as well as two recent raids near Aweil. Allegations of abductions were difficult to confirm until security in the area improved, said the source.