Deribat (Arabic: دريبات) is a town located in South Darfur, Sudan, east of Jebel Marra.[2]
Deribat
دريبات | |
|---|---|
_(Kafia_Kingi_disputed).svg)  Location in Sudan (Southern Darfur State highlighted) | |
| Coordinates: 13°4′51″N 24°31′10″E / 13.08083°N 24.51944°E | |
| Country | Sudan |
| State | South Darfur |
| Elevation | 1,456 m (4,777 ft) |
| Population | |
| • Estimate (2007) | 80,000[1] |
| Time zone | Central Africa Time, GMT + 3 |
History
editDuring the War in Darfur, in December 2006, Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and allied Janjaweed militia reportedly attacked villages in and around Deribat. The attacks resulted in civilian deaths, displacement, and widespread rape of women and girls, some of whom were pregnant. Many victims were reportedly asked about their connections to rebels before being assaulted. The attackers, described as soldiers, often wore uniforms and travelled in vehicles. Some victims were held captive and repeatedly assaulted. The systematic use of rape as a weapon of war is a violation of the Geneva Conventions and is punishable by the International Criminal Court.[3][4]
Since then the area is caught between government bombings and the rare arrival of humanitarian aid. The main supply route to Deribat was closed by government forces, isolating the area and driving away aid organisations. The UN's humanitarian chief, John Holmes, visited the area, witnessing the dire need for medicine and education. However, aid groups find it too dangerous to operate due to militia attacks on workers. The last two aid groups left in August 2007,[1][5] but aid returned to the area in 2017.[6]
The town was under the control of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM-AW) led by Abdul Wahid al-Nur until 2010, when government forces took control. Since then, the population of Deribat has reportedly fled, and the area is said to be largely inhabited by soldiers and militiamen at the Deribat military base.[7][8] However, fighting between SAF and SLM-AW continued[9] with government delegations being ambushed by paramilitary groups in March 2010.[10] Also, in October, the SAF attacked Deribat killing three women and injuring two infants. The attack also resulted in the burning of large areas of farmland. A Darfur rebel group retaliated, reportedly killing 37 government forces and seizing a military base.[11]
During 2023 Sudan war between the SAF and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), the town was initially captured by the RSF, but was later taken by the Sudan Liberation Movement (Al Nur) in December 2023 after RSF retreated to Nyala, the capital of the state.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b Georgy, Michael (2007-08-09). "In Darfur village, bombs more likely than aid". REUTERS.
- ^ Dabanga (2015-05-31). "Lorries reach Deribat in Darfur's East Jebel Marra". Dabanga Radio TV Online. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ "Sexual violence during attacks on villages in East Jebel Marra, Darfur". United Nations Human Rights. 2007-04-30.
- ^ "Darfur: UN accuses Sudanese military, allied militias of possible war crimes | UN News". news.un.org. 2007-08-21. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ Polgreen, Lydia (2007-03-27). "Aid to Darfur Is Imperiled, Officials Say". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ "Sudan Humanitarian Situation Report | UNICEF Middle East and North Africa". www.unicef.org. 2017-09-01. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ Dabanga (2016-03-28). "Darfur's East Jebel Marra: Surviving under siege". Dabanga Radio TV Online. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ "RECENT VIOLENCE IN JABEL MARRA, DARFUR". UK Parliament. 2010-03-02.
- ^ "Darfur fighting mars peace pact". 2010-02-25. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ Dabanga (2010-03-12). "Government delegation ambushed in Deribat area, S. Darfur". Dabanga Radio TV Online. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ "Shelling kills three civilians, rebels claim victory in Darfur's Jebel Marra - Sudan | ReliefWeb". reliefweb.int. 2014-11-01. Retrieved 2024-01-29.
- ^ SudanTribune (2023-12-03). "SLM-Abdel Wahid forces seize RSF camp in South Darfur". Sudan Tribune. Retrieved 2024-01-29.