Sudan recruits former Iraqi army pilots – rebels

May 4, 2008 (LONDON) — Darfur rebel group claimed today that Sudanese army had recruited former Iraqi army pilots to fly bombers in the war-torn region of Darfur.

The Sudanese army has contracted “250 Iraqi pilots for its aerial bombardment in Darfur. Some of these pilots are now accommodated in the official guest house in Alfashir city.” The Justice and Equality Movement said on Sunday.

JEM military spokesperson Ali Wafi said that Sudanese government was forced to recruit the Iraqi pilots because the Sudanese aviators became “reluctant to undertake bombing missions while some had openly voiced their objection to bombing of innocent civilians.”

The Sudanese army has intensified the aerial attacks against the rebel positions in Darfur. Also the Sudan Armed Forces use to bomb the rebel areas before ground attacks.

Wafi said his group had shot down planes flown by Iraqi pilots. However, this allegation was not confirmed by independent sources.

The rebel group also claimed that Sudan is assembling in Nyala, South Darfur, unmanned planes it had bought recently.

(ST)