Pro-government militia attacks in Sudan’s Darfur region

KHARTOUM, Oct. 20, 2003 (dpa) — One-hundred people were killed and 15 villages burnt down in pro-government militia attacks in western Sudan, press reports said Monday.

The independent daily newspapers Alwan and Al-Ayam said that the attacks by the pro-government armed Arab militias in the state of Darfur, west Sudan had caused the displacement of more than 15,000 people and an undetermined number of injuries.

The region has seen severe unrest despite the ceasefire agreement signed between the government and rebels Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) in September. A 45-day nominal truce brokered by Chad is scheduled to expire on October 23.