Rebels report new attacks in North Darfur
September 18, 2008 (ALFASHER) — Darfur rebels said they clashed with the Sudanese troops in Northern Darfur yesterday evening, killing 21 soldiers in the most deadly autumn since four years in the troubled western Sudan.
Army officials say they are fighting bandits and carjackers in Darfur in order to secure roads and protect humanitarian convoys. Therefore they deny attacks against the factions of the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) in the different parts of Darfur.
The Sudanese troops attacked yesterday at the sunset the SLM/A Al Nur positions in Helf, located at 122 klm northern Al-Fasher on Wednesday, said Suleiman Marjan, who commands SLA-Abdel Wahid Al-Nur forces northern Darfur.
Marjan said the attackers who came in 55 vehicles had to withdraw quickly to Malit due to the heavy fire from the rebels.
He added that they destroyed six vehicles.
The rebel commander said no body could blame them when they attack troops that violate the signed ceasefire agreement on daily basis.
Reports of continued fighting are received every day from the rebel groups about attack against their positions in different part of Darfur, since more than two weeks.
According to the United Nations, up to 300,000 people have died in Darfur and more than 2.2 million have fled their homes since rebels rose up against Khartoum in February 2003. Sudan says 10,000 people have been killed.
(ST)