SUMMARY

The different clans of the Misseriya inhabiting South Kordofan in Sudan usually have fairly good relations. In recent years, however, conflicts over land have become more intense. An important reason for this is the discovery of oil in the region which increases the stakes at hand. The fighting between the Awlad Heiban clan (Misseriya) on one side and the Awlad Metanin clan (Misseriya), Awlad Serur clan (Misseriya) on the other is based on this increase contentiousness of control over land. Another important factor is that many of the people involved in the fighting were formerly part of the Popular Defence Forces (PDF) - a government paramilitary group that fought against rebel in Southern Sudan in the Sudanese South-North war. This meant that the clans had access to large quantities of weapons.

The non-state conflict between Awlad Heiban clan (Misseriya) and Awlad Metanin clan (Misseriya), Awlad Serur clan (Misseriya) is first included in UCDP data in 2013. The fighting took place on a single day – 6 January – when Awlad Heiban attacked the al-Fula town in South Kordofan inhabited by the Awlad Serur and Awlad Metanin clans. The clashes resulted in 80 battle-related deaths.