19 killed in tribal clashes in Sudan's Darfur over cows looting

At least 19 people were killed on Saturday and 19 others injured in tribal clashes in Sudan's Darfur region, Sudan Tribune reported.

"Clashes erupted on Saturday between armed men from Salamat and Habaniya tribes at Al-Mitair area of Buram locality, some 90 km south of Nyala, the capital city of South Darfur State," the report said.

The clashes broke out after armed men belonging to Salamat tribe looted cows belonging to Habaniya tribe, it said.

"Military forces were deployed to separate between the two sides and prevent renewal of the clashes," a local official in South Darfur State was quoted as saying in the report.

For years, efforts failed to end the tribal conflicts, which have become a nagging concern for local population and the authorities of the troubled region.

Many factors have contributed to the growing violence in Darfur including security disturbances and the tribes' access to weapons, while many parts of the region have no effective governance.

Darfur region lies on the far west region of Sudan with a total area estimated at around 500,000 square km. It is considered Sudan's western gate where the region shares joint borders with Libya, Chad and Central African Republic. Endit