Sudanese warplanes hit Darfur rebels inside Chad – report

June 2, 2009 (PARIS) — Sudanese warplanes hit Darfur rebels insides the Chadian territory after evacuating a location near the joint border last week, a report published by a Chadian website said today.

Chadactuel.com, a pro-opposition website reported Tuesday that the Sudanese army carried out air strikes against the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) fighters who were returning to a Darfur rebels base inside Chad after an attack on government garrison in Um Baru.

“On Saturday 30 May, the Sudanese air force bombed the towns of Bahai and Karyare, destroying a column of the survivors who tried to return to Amdjeress, (a Chadian location near the border where JEM troops are allegedly based there). In addition to the Sudanese rebels, the bombing resulted in the deaths of several Chadian civilians and livestock,” said the report.

Sudanese army, which mobilized troops and massed warplanes after three raids by the Chadian army on the positions of the Chadian rebels inside Sudan, carried out daily air strikes on the positions of JEM rebels who had controlled Kernoi on May 17 and attacked Um Baru on May 24.

On May 28, the Sudanese army spokesperson announced the control of Kornoi after the withdrawal of the rebels towards Chad. He stressed that the army would continue its military operations to clear the region from any rebel presence. The rebels said they evacuated the town to avoid causalities among the civilians.

The website said the Chadian rebels took part in the attack against the Darfur rebels. It further said the Sudanese warplanes bombed the Sudanese refugees who fled the fighting in Um Baru.

After the raids of the Chadian army aircrafts Sudan said it would not respond to the attacks but it said it would consider the appropriate time and means react against these aggressions.

Libyan leader last week urged the Sudanese and Chadian presidents to end their conflict peacefully and to work to resolve internal affairs. Deby also said he wanted a definitive solution for his conflict with the Sudan mediated by the Libyan leader and the United Nations.

The two countries signed a number of deals but none of it was implemented. Sudan says Chad finances and arms Darfur rebels while Ndjamena addresses the same accusations against Khartoum.

Sudanese army aircraft yesterday killed two civilians and 15 injured when it bombed Furawiya, location which lies at 240km from El Geneina capital of West Darfur and 70 km from the Chadian border, a JEM official told Reuters on Tuesday.

“There has been continuous bombardment of warplanes from the Sudan government on Furawiya town. They have specifically targeted water wells,” said Suleiman Sandal.

Delegations from Sudanese government and JEM rebels negotiate nowadays in the Qatari capital the implementation of a goodwill agreement they signed last February but the talks are deadlocked over the release of Prisoners of Wars.

Sudanese government refuses to free any rebel before the signing of a ceasefire agreement while JEM insists that Khartoum release its POWs first.

(ST)