The large group of gunmen drove pickup trucks as they raided and overran the prison in the town of Buram located in the southern part of the Darfur region according to the Sudan Media Center and other media had reported. However, the police did not give any comments on who the detainees were or why they were in prison.
According to a United Nations official in the region, the attack on the prison appears to have been orchestrated by fighters from the Salamat tribe of nomadic Arabs. They had escaped with several of the detainees who are also believed to be part of the Salamat tribe.
He spoke on anonymity because he was not authorized to talk to the media.
The Salamat along with other nomadic tribes in Darfur are believed to be part of the Arab militia known as the janjaweed.
Several of the Arab tribes in Darfur had voiced discontent with Sudan’s government. At times, they turned against the government and sided with the rebel forces. Dozens have been killed as the tribes turned against one another for war spoils.
Over 200,000 have died with 2.5 million taking refuge in refugee camps when local rebels took arms against the Arab-dominated Sudanese government in 2003.
Civilians and aid workers continue to be targets of violence.
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