Hashaba — Pro-government militias allegedly assaulted 47 passengers who were traveling in two trade vehicles around the Hashaba area, northwest of Kutum, North Darfur, witnesses told Radio Dabanga.

The traders were on their way from El-Fasher to Kornoi (Dar Zaghawa) when militiamen driving three vehicles heavily armed with Dushkas ambushed them on Thursday morning, 6 December, according to testimonies.

All passengers were ordered to step out of the vehicle and lie on the ground, before being beaten and tortured by the militias, sources recounted. In addition, the perpetrators stripped the traders of their money and mobile phones, according to witnesses.

Both trade vehicles, owned by the merchant Omer Hussein, and the goods they were carrying were reportedly seized.

The perpetrators fled to an unknown destination, sources stated.