JEM rebels take North Darfur town
May 17, 2009 (KHARTOUM) — Darfur rebels seized the town of Kornoi in North Darfur yesterday, taking the initiative after the defeat of the Sudan-backed invasion of Chad and subsequent Chadian counter-attacks into Darfur farther to the south.
The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) on Saturday late afternoon struck at the town, which lies on a key road leading southeast toward the North Darfur capital, between the border town of Tina and the town of Um Baru, where clashes took place last week.
In a battle which lasted three hours according to government soldiers and according to the JEM Chairman, the rebel forces took the town and apparently are in control of the area, reported the UN hybrid peacekeeping operation known as UNAMID.
“JEM has taken Kornoi. We attacked a garrison there. We want to clear them out of the area,” JEM leader Khalil Ibrahim told Reuters news agency by satellite telephone.
“We now control a very large area. JEM will proceed to control the whole area — the whole of Darfur, including the capitals,” he said.
Soldiers who survived the attack, numbering several dozen, retreated toward Um Baru and Tina, east and west of Kornoi respectively. According to UNAMID, the peacekeepers provided water and medical care for the wounded.
Speaking on behalf of the UN-African Union Mission, Joint Special Representative Rodolphe Adada “condemned yesterday’s attack, as he does any act of violence,” said a statement from the peacekeepers.
“I call on all the parties to the Darfur conflict to refrain from the use of violence, to seek a peaceful resolution to their problems, notably through the Doha process, and to work towards a cessation of hostilities,” said Adada.
Despite JEM’s claim to have taken the area, UNAMID said it was itself unable to verify either the identity of the attackers or their numbers. The attack comes as Chadian government forces demonstrate an increased willingness to raid into Darfur territory.
Relations between Sudan and Chad deteriorated badly since the offensive launched into Chad on May 4 by the Union of Forces for the Resistance (UFR), a coalition of rebel factions based in Sudan.
(ST)
Nino
JEM rebels take North Darfur town
“UNAMID” They can not verify; What is the explanation of having such a huge number of soldiers who can not defend themselves?
Can they protect and defend others; in this case the Darfur people?
So why The UN insist in keeping them spend all donnors money in a useless operation? Ridding lates models of four wheel drive cars, getting drunk, get car-jacked in agreement with the car-jackers (how to explain a car theft in a military compound) what UNAMID REPORTS IT IS ALL FABRICATED, BETTER THEY CHANGE THEIR MANDATE OR LEAVE.
Simon
JEM rebels take North Darfur town
People from the south, lets learn a lesson let’s take every moment seriously because every second count. now we know what the world are waiting for, the reason we attack our neighbours is not going to make YOU ‘JEM’ a better or stronger Rebels or just by attacking innocent lives from their towns and taking what belongs to them.
how is this going to help when the world see us fighting ourselves or our neighbours, we have no love for each others it’s too hard to forgive your brother now that’s about a million excuses we have to resolve our problems and issues.
i personally accuse JEM for what they are doing, if you want freedom please fight the North and if you want me i will join you as well i am an Australian Army Officer Lut Simon Panoum right now in an peace keeping mission Solomon Island be returning home ‘Australia in 6 months time and looking forward visiting Southern Sudan Especially Juba and Malakal.
NO WAR AGAINST YOUR BROthers REMEMBER THAT MATE!!!!