2 rebels killed in clashes with Sudanese troops in North Darfur
October 25, 2008 (KHARTOUM) – Two Darfur rebels were killed during clashes between Sudanese troops and a rebel group in north Darfur, Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) said on Friday.
A SLA rebel commander Mohamed Abdallah, said his group lost two fighters but captured a number of government vehicles and weapons in the clash on Thursday. Abdallah belongs to the SLM led by Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur.
A leading member from the SLA-Unity, Suleiman Jamous indicated that the clash occurred in a road near the area of Anabaji, in North Darfur state.
Abdullah and Jamous said government forces overtook a rebel base in the Helf area in north Darfur on Thursday night.
However the Sudanese army spoke about the presence of some operating units in the area but was unable to confirm the incident.
Human Rights Watch said yesterday that attacks by Sudanese army and government backed militias in Darfur show that civilians are still at risk. The rights group said 40 civilians were killed during attacks between October 5 and 17, 2008 in South Darfur.
The watchdog called on UNAMID to conduct a prompt and thorough investigation into the Muhajariya attacks and urged all parties to the conflict to take all feasible measures to avoid loss of civilian life and property and to ensure that the civilian population has access to humanitarian assistance.
Noureddine Mezni, a spokesman for the joint United Nations/African Union peacekeeping force (UNAMID), told Reuters: “We have initial information about clashes in the area. We are monitoring the situation.” He did not give further details.
United Nations experts estimate that 300,000 have died and 2.5 million fled their homes since mostly African rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated government in 2003, charging it with neglect. The government says less than 10,000 have lost their lives and accuses the international media of exaggerating the crisis.
(ST)