Sudan army says it has complete control over West Darfur
February 24, 2008 (El-Geneina) — Sudan’s defense minister said that the army has regained full control of Jabel Moun area in West Darfur.
“We have destroyed 9 rebel camps” Abdel-Rahim Mohamed Hussein told the official news agency (SUNA) today from West Darfur.
The Sudanese army began an offensive to flush out the rebel presence in Silea, Sirba, Abu- Sorouj.
Aid workers in the area, who wished to remain anonymous, said the attackers had “burned to the ground” Abu Sorouj and Sirba towns, about 55km north of El-Geneina, the capital of West Darfur.
The attacks left hundreds of civilians dead and thousands more displaced according to the U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR).
Hussein said his visit to Jabel Moun was to “inspect the troops and ensure that they are in good spirits”. The top military official also visited the wounded soldiers in El-Geneina military hospital.
The recent offensive has drawn criticism by the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon who urged a ceasefire in Darfur saying deteriorating security is undermining efforts to help thousands of civilians caught in an upsurge in fighting.
(ST)