At least 37 people were killed and 10 injured on 9 December during a Janjawid attack on a commercial lorry carrying passengers as well as medical supplies for the Swiss NGO 'Medair'.
The lorry was travelling from the capital of West Darfur, Al-Geneina, to Sirba. Janjawid on horseback ambushed the lorry at 8 AM in Bir-Dageeg, opening fire on the driver and killing him.
The vehicle lost control and crashed, at which point the Janjawid fired a Rocket Propelled Grenade at the vehicle, setting fire to fuel barrels it was carrying. As people fled, the Janjawid opened fire.
Among those killed were four Primary School teachers, six women and four children. Reportedly all were of the Erenga ethnic group.
Those killed outside the vehicle were thrown back inside so that their remains were burned.
Later that day at the burial in Al-Geneina, nine bodies were so welded together by fire they could not be distinguished.
On 8 December the truck-driver, who was killed in the attack, had reportedly paid 300,000 Sudanese pounds (about $133) to the police in Kondobay for a convoy to accompany the lorry to Sirba. This is common in the area as insecurity is so great. However, there was no police protection when the lorry was attacked.
An eyewitness said such an act of cruelty has never been witnessed before in the region. A protest was held the following day, 10 December, outside the AU headquarters in Al Geneina.
At the protest angry demonstrators surrounded an AMIS vehicle. AMIS forces opened fire, killing two demonstrators and wounding another. They claim demonstrators were armed. Amnesty International is calling for an independent inquiry.