Sudan army attack rebel positions in West Darfur – SLM leader
December 25, 2007 (PARIS) — Sudanese army have carried out an air and ground attack against rebel positions in West Darfur state killing four civilians, a rebel leader said today.
“Around 4000 troops took part in a ground attack today against our positions in Wadi Toro, Balaroy and Shao Fogo in northern west Jabal Marra;” al Nur said. He further added that the assailants were transported by 60 Land Cruiser vehicles.
The rebel leader said that two military aircrafts Antonov raided the three rebel held positions before the ground attack.
Al-Nur, who refuses to participate in the AU-Un mediated peace process, condemned the attack saying that Khartoum still thinking can end the Darfur crisis through the military solution.
The rebel leader said that his troops up to now have observed the ceasefire signed in 2004, but he warned that they have the right to retaliate against any aggression and to defend themselves.
Further, al-Nur reiterated that no talks with Khartoum unless it observes fully the ceasefire and the international troops are deployed to protect the civilians in the region.
He reminded that his movement has always urged for the “conflict suspension” before any political process but Khartoum wants “to bring us to the table of negotiation with the continuation of the conflict.”
In a letter sent to the UN Secretary General in September 2007, Abdelwahid al-Nur underscored that peace negotiations should start following the achievement of what he called “conflict suspension”. This step encompasses, according to the rebel leader, to stop attacks on civilians, the disarmament of militia and the removal of alien nomads newly resettled by the government in Darfur.
Sudan’s government had declared an immediate unilateral ceasefire at the opening of Darfur peace talks in Libya on Saturday October 27, 2007. Dozens of cease-fires have been announced and then breached by Khartoum or the rebels since 2003.
(ST)