Sudanese army continue attacks in Darfur – rebels

September 12, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – Rebel groups said today that Sudanese government troops attacked on Saturday their positions in southern Darfur.

“Sudanese army troops and militiamen with more than 150 vehicles attacked our positions in Tarni area, eastern Jebel Mara,” said Mahgoub Hussein the spokesperson of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) – Unity Command in a statement emailed to Sudan Tribune.

Also Salah Bob, field commander of the SLM led by Abdel Wahid Al-Nur, said the attack began since Friday. Bob was speaking from Hazanat-Tungur location in eastern Jebel Marra.

“There are also aeroplanes that are bombing,” he said, adding that casualty figures were impossible to gather until the fighting ended.

Hussein said they repelled the attack. But the Sudanese army spokesperson Osman al-Aghbash stated that the government troops didn’t face resistance.

Aghbash stressed the army carries out attacks against carjackers and didn’t aim any rebel positions. He also added that military action will continue across Darfur states to secure the roads for aid trucks.

Growing insecurity in Darfur has undercut the ability of aid agencies to deliver critical supplies.

More than 100 vehicles carrying aid from the World Food Programme have been hijacked in Darfur this year, with 43 drivers and 63 trucks still missing. Many more have been shot at and robbed, the WFP says.

The UN agency, which provides food for more than three million people in Darfur, warned last week that it will be forced to cut aid if the security situation does not improve.

(ST)