Sudan: Minister calls for going after Israel over environmental damage caused by air strike

March 25, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese Ministry of Environment said it recommended pursuing Israel for compensation in the international arena for the environmental pollutants left from its alleged bombing of Al-Yarmouk arms factory in Khartoum late last year.

Last October, the Sudanese government blamed an Israeli airstrike for the explosion of Al-Yarmouk arms factory. The Jewish state has not confirmed or denied its involvement but it is widely believed that is behind the bombing.

Israel accuses Sudan of being an ally of its arch enemy Iran as well as a conduit for arms smuggling activities toward the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

The Sudanese environment minister Hassan Abdel-Gadir Hilal, challenged authorities in the state of Khartoum to prove that the bombing did not pollute the environment.

Hilal said in a press statement last Sunday that a study conducted by his ministry three days after shelling of Al-Yarmouk proved air contamination, asking “How is it possible to bomb a factory with four missiles without causing pollution?”.

The damage to the environment which have been identified as including iron, lead and metal particles, stressing the importance of pursuing Israel for compensation, Hilal said.

(ST)