Rebels say government control Darfur areas after fighting
September 9, 2008 (ELFASHER) — Sudanese troops after two days of aerial and ground attacks have succeeded to retake the control of rebel positions in some part of northern Darfur, a rebel commander confirmed today.
Darfur rebel groups denounced government attacks on their positions in Disa and Bir Maza, on Saturday and Sunday. They said four helicopter gunships and two Antonov were involved in the deadly attacks. However Sudanese army said it clearing only the area from carjackers and protects the movement of aid, and UNAMID convoys.
Suleiman Marjan, a leading rebel commander from the Sudan Liberation Movement led by Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur confirmed that Sudanese army and its militias control Bir Maza and Disa in North Darfur State.
He added that SLM fighters have pulled out of these areas and accused the Sudanese troops of committing atrocities in these former strongholds in northern Darfur.
According to Marjan, six people were killed in Biri, northern east of Kutum and eastern, after their control of the location.
He provided Sudan Tribune with the names of six people killed and two other wounded while he said that five other are missing among them two children and women.
He also said that despite heavy rains civilians flee the area to avoid repression, as he said.
On Monday, a Sudanese army spokesperson affirmed that government troops were in control of areas in eastern Jebel Marra, south of Tawila in West Darfur state, other areas where army clashed with the rebel SLA troops.
The joint African Union-UN peacekeeping mission in Darfur (UNAMID) said reports from North Darfur state indicated the government had launched “general attacks.”
Around 120 Land Rovers and trucks carrying “heavily armed” government troops were spotted near Malha, around 180 kilometres (112 miles) northeast of the reported fighting at Disa and Birmaza, the force said on Sunday.
Marjan addressed a call to Sudanese troops and militias saying they have to reconsider their support to an “indicted president”. “Bashir is a criminal of war and soon or later he will appear before the International Court of Justice” he said.
“Bashir admitted publicly that he killed more than nine thousands of displaced and this is enough to condemn him we urge them to distance them selves from this failing regime” he added.
According to the United Nations, up to 300,000 people have died and more than 2.2 million fled their homes since the conflict erupted in February 2003. Sudan says only less than 10,000 have been killed.
Last July the ICC Prosecutor filed a request of an arrest warrant against the Sudanese president accusing him to genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
(ST)