U.N.: Nearly 400 Killed In Attacks Near Darfur

Janjaweed militiamen killed up to 400 people in the volatile eastern border area near Sudan's Darfur region, leaving an ''apocalyptic'' scene of mass graves and destruction, the U.N. refugee agency said Tuesday.
The attacks took place March 31 in the border villages of Tiero and Marena, some 550 miles from the capital, N'djamena. Chadian officials initially said 65 people had died, but added that the toll was sure to rise.

''Estimates of the number of dead have increased substantially and now range between 200 and 400,'' said the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). ''Because most of the dead were buried where their bodies were found - often in common graves owing to their numbers - we may never know their exact number.''

The attackers encircled the villages and opened fire, pursuing fleeing villagers, robbing women and shooting the men, said the UNHCR. Many who survived the initial attack died later from exhaustion and dehydration, often while fleeing. The story continues >>>