19 November 2009 - The African Union-United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) has received confirmed reports that 11 persons have been killed, four injured and two missing following an attack by unidentified armed men on two villages – Taman and Shaleb Shaleb – close to Khor Abeche, South Darfur, more than 200 kilometres south of El Fasher.

According to these reports, gunmen on board eight vehicles and about 300 armed men on camels launched the attack, which resulted in fighting with armed elements of the Birgid tribe in the area between Jubel Tein and west Nigea for about six hours on Tuesday 17 November. The cause of the clashes is unconfirmed, although access to water seemed to be the trigger.

Communication and Public Information Division Media Contacts
Kemal Saïki, Director; saiki@un.org – tel.: +249 (0) 92 244 3529; mobile: +249 (0) 92 241 0020
Noureddine Mezni, Spokesperson; mezni@un.org – mobile: +249 (0) 92 562 9693 -+249 (0) 91 253 8420
Sharon McPherson, Media Relations, mcpherson1@un.org –mobile: +249 (0) 92 241 0375 - +249 (0) 92 244 7941