A/HRC/14/41 signed an accord in N’Djamena to secure their joint border and remove the threat posed to one another by cross-border rebel proxies operating on Sudanese and Chadian territory. The agreement, if fully implemented, could help improve the security situation in Darfur. In spite of these encouraging developments, the presence of Chadian armed opposition groups in North and West Darfur continued to threaten the local civilian population. There have been several reports of harassment, looting and destruction of property by these groups, which reportedly resulted in the displacement of civilians. D. Returns of internally displaced persons 51. Since June 2009, there has been an increase in the number of internally displaced persons, who have returned to their localities or to their lands in comparison to 2008. While some of the returns have been seasonal for cultivation purposes, several factors may have contributed to the returns, namely an improvement in security in some areas and a reduction in food rations by the World Food Programme. While the Government has been actively promoting an agenda of permanent return, it is obvious that the ongoing conflict, general lawlessness, insecurity and lack of humanitarian access in many areas will make it difficult for the displaced to return voluntarily. Some displaced persons have complained about being subjected to undue pressure from various armed factions and government officials to return to insecure areas. Some also reported that their lands have been occupied by mostly Arab nomads and militia groups, which enjoy Government support and protection. In June 2009, UNAMID personnel visited two villages in South Darfur, Donki Dreisa and Muhajiharia, where it was reported that some 1,500 residents had returned to their homes. In both locations, the team met traditional leaders and returnees and discussed how to facilitate a secure environment for the return of internally displaced persons. During his mission to Darfur, the independent expert visited two model villages for returnees, in North and in West Darfur. E. Violations of international humanitarian law 52. In spite of the improvement in the security situation in Darfur, military activities by the parties to the conflict continued throughout the reporting period. The security situation in certain areas of Darfur was marked by intermittent military operations between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and armed movements. Occasional sporadic fighting among the rebel movements was also reported. These clashes continue to result in civilian casualties, the destruction of civilian properties and displacements owing to the continued failure of the warring factions to distinguish between combatants and civilians during armed confrontations. 53. In September 2009, UNAMID received reports of fighting between the Government and Sudan Liberation Movement/Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW) forces in Korma, North Darfur. Following intermittent clashes, including heavy fighting on 6 September, the SLA/AW withdrew from Korma. Information gathered by UNAMID during its mission there on 29 September indicated that 13 civilians were killed in the clashes and approximately 31,000 displaced to nearby villages. UNAMID also observed extensive looting of Korma town and surrounding villages and received reports of sexual violence and other human rights violations. 54. In Yarra, South Darfur, fighting between two Government paramilitary forces, the Popular Defence Forces (PDF) and the Border Intelligence Guards (BIG), resulted in the forced displacement of a number of civilians and serious human rights violations, including reported killings. The fighting broke out on 15 September 2009 following the arrest of a PDF member by BIG soldiers. In Mawu, North Darfur, reports were received of alleged GE.10-13648 13