Sudan army bombs JEM positions in South Darfur

January 14, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese army bombed Justice and Equality Movement rebels position in South Darfur after several days of warnings that they monitor their movements from Chad’s border.

Sudanese army Antonov planes bombed JEM troops near Muhajeria in the South Darfur state. The location is also known to be one of the sites controlled by a former rebel group led by Minni who signed a peace deal with the government in May 2006.

The Sudanese army which admitted the air strike said it bombed rebels who reject Abuja agreement and a ceasefire offered by president Al-Bashir last November. It also stressed that the bombing meant to protect civilians.

“We bombed a group of rebels, who have no (peace) agreement with us in order to protect the lives of civilians. This is the army’s job, to secure the lives of civilians,” army spokesman Sawarmi Khaled told AFP.

The rebels confirmed the Tuesday attack but were unable to provide le casualties. They also accused the army of carrying out similar bombardment in northern Darfur.

But, an official from the hybrid peacekeeping mission in Darfur confirmed the air attack and said that two people were wounded during the bombing.

However, the Sudanese officials last week said they monitor closely the movement of the rebel troops near the Chadian border. They also said ready to confront militarily JEM fighters. Suleiman Sandal, JEM deputy general commander said last week they intend to attack government positions when the ICC issues an expected arrest warrant for the Sudanese president.

Last week JEM rebels accused the Sudanese army of bombing their positions in northern Darfur during two days from 7 to 9 January.

The rebel JEM raided the Sudanese capital last May. Since the army criticized the performances of the intelligence and security services and asked to be alone in charge with the defense of the capital and other strategic towns.

(ST)