Darfur rebels fight back

2008-09-15 17:46

Khartoum - Darfur rebels said on Monday they were fighting back against attacking government troops for a fourth day, the latest in a series of battles in Sudan's war-torn western region.

Villages have been burnt and insurgents bombed by Antonov aircraft since fighting erupted on Friday southwest of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state, rebels from the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) said.

"The fighting began again early this morning at Khazan Tungur, soon after dawn," said Abu Bakr Kadu, a commander from the SLA-Unity faction.

He said approximately 70 government vehicles packed with troops were involved.

"There are government troops and Antonov aeroplanes, and we are fighting," he said, speaking from close to Khazan Tungur.

The information could not be independently verified, but the joint UN-AU mission in Darfur (UNAMID) said their reports suggested clashes were continuing.

"There appears to be sporadic fighting," said UNAMID spokesperson Kemal Saiki.

"Due to the difficulties of access to this area we cannot confirm this directly, but it's based on various sources, including reports of the movement of troops and aircraft."

Other rebels said government forces were helping militias loot villages and animals around the villages of Disa and Birmaza, some 140km northwest of El-Fasher.

Heavy fighting was reported in the area last week, but the rebels now say militia forces are stripping settlements of valuables.

- AFP