200 killed during Sudan attack on rebels in West Darfur
February 8, 2008 (UNITED NATIONS) – Sudanese army attacked rebel positions in three towns in West Darfur Friday killing some 200 people, saying the operation aimed at destroying rebel positions in the war-torn western region of the country.
Brigadier, Osman Mohamed al Aghbash, the spokesperson of the Sudan Armed Forces today said that the army carried out a wide operation, on the morning of Friday in the areas of Abu Suruj, Sirba and Sileia in West Darfur State.
He said that the army were able to repulse Darfur rebel who have retreated into Chadian territories leaving behind them huge number of dead, wounded and equipment that are currently being counted.
Al-Aghbash said the army suffered on killed and four wounded. But he did not comment on the number of casualties among rebels or residents in the towns. Nor did he comment on the type of aircraft used in the attack.
The Sudan Justice and Equality rebels said that the army killed some 200 people, in their attacks against the three villages but denied that rebel forces were holed up in the towns.
“The government attacked using aircraft bombardment, troops and Janjaweed,” said Abdelaziz Ushar, a senior rebel commander in Darfur with the Justice and Equality Movement.
“The government attacked the town of Abu Surouj this morning … a direct attack with cars and horses and bombardment,” rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) commander Abdel Aziz el-Nur Ashr said from Darfur.
Ushar said the army used both helicopter gunships and fixed-wing aircraft in Friday’s attacks, setting the towns ablaze and forcing tens of thousands to flee.
Both nations have accused each other of hosting hostile rebel groups, allegations that became even more sensitive over the past few days when rebels staged an assault on the Chadian capital of N’Djamena.
Abu Surouj resident Malik Mohamed said he had escaped during the attack early on Friday. “First of all I saw two helicopters and Janjaweed on horses and camels, after that I saw cars,” he said.
“The helicopters hit us four times and around 20 bombs were dropped,” he said by telephone.
His voice breaking, he said he had no idea where his family was. “I am outside the city and can see burning. They (the attackers) are still inside.”
Residents of el-Geneina, the state capital, told Reuters they could hear Antonov planes and had seen helicopters. Darfur rebels said that until the attacks they controlled the area north of el-Geneina, where they have often fought army troops, and which aid workers have been forbidden from entering.
Ashr had said previously the rebels expected the attacks because Khartoum had again mobilized militia groups, known locally as Janjaweed, in the area.
Yehia Abakr, a resident of Sirba, told Reuters by telephone he fled the town centre when the forces attacked.
“They have killed many people,” he said.
“The armed forces attacked the areas where the rebels are and they have rid the areas of them totally,” a spokesman said.
JEM’s Ashr said the rebels had not stationed forces inside the towns since capturing them late last year.
“When we attacked and took Suleia, we attacked the army there but not one civilian was killed,” he said.
Rights group Amnesty International said the government attack was a “major test” for the UNAMID mission which began operations on December 31 and called on it to protect the civilians in the area.
“The Security Council … should call on the government of Sudan to comply with international humanitarian law and ensure that civilians are protected at all times and call on JEM not to endanger civilians by stationing armed men within civilian areas,” Tawanda Hondora, Amnesty’s deputy Africa director, said in a statement on Friday.
(ST)
Some information for this reported provided by the AP and Reuters