Sudan attacks rebel positions
2008-09-18 17:46
Khartoum - Sudanese government aircraft were bombing north Darfur rebel positions on Thursday in the latest reported attack in the war-torn region, rebels said.
Fighters from the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) have reported an upsurge in attacks in the past two weeks, with heavy battles between insurgents and government and militia forces backed by aircraft.
Much of the reported fighting has taken place near Tawila in North Darfur state, some 50km west of the regional capital El-Fasher.
"There is bombing both at Khazan Tungur and near Tawila with Antonov planes," said Abu Bakr Kadu, a commander from the SLA-Unity faction speaking from Darfur.
Rebels on Wednesday said approximately 100 government vehicles packed with troops launched an attack, but were beaten back when separate SLA factions joined together in a unified force.
"The bombing has continued again after Wednesday, but there are no government soldiers now," Kadu said.
The report could not be independently confirmed.
Thousands flee fighting
Thousands of civilians are reported to have fled fighting in the past week, with their villages looted and burnt by government-supported militias.
However, the Sudanese army dismissed the rebel reports, insisting that the only military action under way is against bandits responsible for a spate of attacks on aid convoys.
"There are no operations in Khazan Tungur or Tawila," an army spokesperson said.
"However, the Sudanese army continues its usual work to secure the roads against bandits for humanitarian aid deliveries."
The recent clashes have come amid mounting pressure on Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir as he seeks to head off potential charges from the International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and genocide in Darfur.
According to the UN up to 300 000 people have died in Darfur and more than 2.2 million have fled their homes since rebels rose up against Khartoum in February 2003. Sudan says 10 000 people have been killed.