Bombs empty Darfur camp
2008-02-18 19:10
El-Geneina - Sudan on Monday bombed an emptied refugee camp in west Darfur, following an offensive to retake the area from insurgents, rebels and aid sources said.
"They have bombed this morning in Aru Shurow ... and another area nearby," Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) Commander Adam Ketr told Reuters from the nearby rebel-held Jabel Moun area.
The rebel commander said two helicopters and one Antonov plane were flying this morning. The Antonov bombed, he added.
"No one was killed but four people were injured," he said.
The Sudanese army was not immediately able to confirm or deny the report. A source in the aid community in Khartoum confirmed the report of bombing and that the camp was empty.
Most of the 5 000 people sheltering in Aru Shurow camp fled to Jabel Moun more than a week ago when the army and allied militia attacked three major towns. Residents said 114 people were killed.
Sudan's army denied any links to the militia and said many of those killed were rebels in civilian clothes.
Rebels say they expect a massive offensive on the mountainous Jabel Moun area. Convoys of trucks full of soldiers and armed police have been seen along the road north of el-Geneina.
Aid agencies estimate tens of thousands of people fled during last week's government offensive. Some crossed the border to Chad, some to nearby towns and others dispersed into Jabel Moun.
- Reuters