Deribat
{{short description|Town in Sudan}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name = Deribat
| native_name = دريبات
| native_name_lang = ar
| settlement_type = Town
| timezone1 = Central Africa Time, GMT + 3
| coordinates = {{Coord|13| 4| 51|N|24| 31| 10|E|type:landmark_region:SD|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map = Sudan
| subdivision_name1 = South Darfur
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in Sudan (Southern Darfur State highlighted)
| pushpin_image = South Darfur in Sudan (+claims hatched) (Kafia Kingi disputed).svg
| subdivision_type1 = State
| subdivision_type = Country
| subdivision_name = Sudan
| subdivision_type2 = Control
| subdivision_name2 = {{flagicon image|Flag of SLM (al-Nur).svg}} Sudan Liberation Movement (al-Nur)
| elevation_m = 1456
| pop_est_as_of = 2007
}}
Deribat ({{Langx|ar|دريبات}}) is a town located in South Darfur, Sudan, east of Jebel Marra.{{Cite web |last=Dabanga |date=2015-05-31 |title=Lorries reach Deribat in Darfur’s East Jebel Marra |url=https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/lorries-reach-deribat-in-darfur-s-east-jebel-marra |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Dabanga Radio TV Online |language=en-GB}}
History
During 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.{{Cite web |date=2007-04-30 |title=Sexual violence during attacks on villages in East Jebel Marra, Darfur |url=https://www.ohchr.org/en/statements/2009/10/sexual-violence-during-attacks-villages-east-jebel-marra-darfur |website=United Nations Human Rights}}{{Cite web |date=2007-08-21 |title=Darfur: UN accuses Sudanese military, allied militias of possible war crimes {{!}} UN News |url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2007/08/228772 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=news.un.org |language=en}}
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,{{Cite web |last=Georgy |first=Michael |date=2007-08-09 |title=In Darfur village, bombs more likely than aid |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL26573752/ |website=REUTERS}}{{Cite news |last=Polgreen |first=Lydia |date=2007-03-27 |title=Aid to Darfur Is Imperiled, Officials Say |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/27/world/africa/27darfur.html |access-date=2024-01-29 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} but aid returned to the area in 2017.{{Cite web |date=2017-09-01 |title=Sudan Humanitarian Situation Report {{!}} UNICEF Middle East and North Africa |url=https://www.unicef.org/mena/reports/sudan-humanitarian-situation-report-7 |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=www.unicef.org |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |last=Dabanga |date=2016-03-28 |title=Darfur's East Jebel Marra: Surviving under siege |url=https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/darfur-s-east-jebel-marra-surviving-under-siege |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Dabanga Radio TV Online |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |date=2010-03-02 |title=RECENT VIOLENCE IN JABEL MARRA, DARFUR |url=https://edm.parliament.uk/early-day-motion/40614/recent-violence-in-jabel-marra-darfur |website=UK Parliament}} However, fighting between SAF and SLM-AW continued{{Cite news |date=2010-02-25 |title=Darfur fighting mars peace pact |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/8536641.stm |access-date=2024-01-29 |language=en-GB}} with government delegations being ambushed by paramilitary groups in March 2010.{{Cite web |last=Dabanga |date=2010-03-12 |title=Government delegation ambushed in Deribat area, S. Darfur |url=https://www.dabangasudan.org/en/all-news/article/government-delegation-ambushed-in-deribat-area-s-darfur |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Dabanga Radio TV Online |language=en-GB}} 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.{{Cite web |date=2014-11-01 |title=Shelling kills three civilians, rebels claim victory in Darfur's Jebel Marra - Sudan {{!}} ReliefWeb |url=https://reliefweb.int/report/sudan/shelling-kills-three-civilians-rebels-claim-victory-darfurs-jebel-marra |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=reliefweb.int |language=en}}
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.{{Cite web |last=SudanTribune |date=2023-12-03 |title=SLM-Abdel Wahid forces seize RSF camp in South Darfur |url=https://sudantribune.com/article279993/ |access-date=2024-01-29 |website=Sudan Tribune |language=en-US}}