Sudan’s Interior Ministry says paramilitary forces in the African country’s Darfur region have mutinied as security in the troubled area is worsening.

The ministry said in a Sunday statement carried by the official SUNA news agency, "A small group from the Central Reserve Police started a mutiny.”

The statement added that the mutineers, who were from the West Darfur unit of the special police, "started firing their guns in the air" and frightened the residents before fleeing southwest.

However, no casualties were reported and the ministry further said that Sudan's army was in pursuit after the incident.

The mutineers “withdrew from their compound and took with them four Land Cruisers with weapons, and some food,” SUNA said.


As one of the government forces, the Central Reserve is employed against rebels who have been fighting against Khartoum government in Darfur since 2003.