Tribal clashes continue in Sudan's West Darfur, dozens killed

Tribal clashes continued on Friday in troubled Sudan's West Darfur, with dozens killed in recent days.

The fighting is taking place in the state capital El-Geneina between tribes of Arab and Masalit ethnicity, The New Arab's Arabic-language sister site Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported.

At least 74 people were killed on Monday and Tuesday in battles for the city, according to a provisional toll issued by a national doctors' syndicate.

It said in a statement released Friday that there was as yet no death toll for Wednesday and Thursday.

Medics in West Darfur had earlier on Friday said El-Geneina has faced a brutal and unprecedented attack by armed gangs since Thursday.

This came as officials stayed silent amid the turmoil unfolding in the country, with the army and the Rapid Support Forces paramilitary engaging in deadly clashes.

Journalists have left the region for the capital Khartoum, where much of the fighting between the military factions – which has killed more than 500 – has been concentrated.

People are unable to bury the deceased or treat the injured as public and private medical facilities have stopped providing services.

The outbreak of fighting earlier this month has made an already dire humanitarian situation even worse.

El-Geneina has become a ghost town, and there has been looting, vandalism, and the burning of homes, shops and the offices and warehouses of humanitarian groups.

The only hospital that serves the state's citizens was looted, with the blood bank and radiology department equipment destroyed.