Sudan People's Liberation Army military camp besieged in Kharasana by Misseriya

April 27, 2008 (Bentiu) - For the last three days, SPLA military camp in Kharasan, between Keilak and Bentiu has come under serious siege by Misseriya gunmen. On the evening of Saturday 26 Misseriya gunmen fought fiercely with SPLA detachment stationed near Kharasana market.

"Children and women are starving, for the last three days we have not drank water nor eaten food," said a traveler holed up within the SPLA camp. NSV tried to reach the SPLA commander in the area. He was arranging rescue for the civilians within the camp. There are some cars and buses caught between Kharasana and Bentiu.

The highway between Dilling, Kharasana, Higlig and Bentiu is now completely closed by the Misseriya. It is also learned from a reliable sources within Kharasana that SPLA rescue was supposed to be in the area since yesterday. "We were shelled from 11:00am to late noon of Sunday 27th," said another terrified civilian on board a bus bound for Abyei.

The humanitarian situation of the civilians in Kharasani is said to be worsening without food and water. Misseriya fighters are said to have destroyed one water pump and are occupying another one near the market. The number of deaths and wounded remains uncertain as attacks are ongoing. Misseriya are using mortars and heavy weapons against SPLA in Kharasana.