18 people killed in recent government attacks in Darfur

September 19, 2009 (PARIS) — Some 18 people are killed and 26 other wounded during attacks carried out by government army and militias on the positions of Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) of Abdel Wahid Al Nur near Jebel Marra this week.

Since the beginning of this month of September Sudanese army staged a series of air ground attacks on the position of the SLM-AW near Jebel Marra particularly in Ain Siro and Korma in North Darfur. This week the government troops attacked the rebel positions in Korma on Thursday and Friday.

The Sudanese army during the six-year-long conflict failed to dislodge the SLA- AW rebels from Jebel Marra, the highest region of the Sudan which inhabited by the Fur ethnic group. Also, since the start of the conflict many civilians and IDPs settle in the areas controlled by the rebel group saying they protect them from attacks by militias.

Hussein Abu Sharati the IDPs spokesperson on Saturday told Sudan Tribune that at least 18 civilians are killed during the attacks by the army and militias in 10 villages around Korma. He went further to say that the government backed militias killed the civilians deliberately despite the absence of rebels in the attacked villages.

“The number of the newly displaced civilians is over 5000 people, they went mainly to El Fasher Kutum camps,” he said.

He also urged international humanitarian assistance to the displaced populations following this week adding that the humanitarian situation is very difficult.

“We make this appeal because we spoke with the UNAMID to provide shelter and food but they did intervene till now,” Abu Saharti said adding “They are in dire need for relief and cannot wait more.”

The areas held by the SLA-AW, like Korma and Jebel Marra generally, constitute “a no go areas” for the UNAMID and AMIS before it since 2006 following the signing of Darfur Peace Agreement.

The UNAMID spokesperson, Noureddine Mezni yesterday told Sudan Tribune they are waiting for the green light from the rebel movement to enter the area.

Abu Sharati also spoke about the difficult situation of some 200,000 IDPs in Wadi Saleh, 180 klm from El Geneina the capital of western Darfur state, not far from the border with Chad.

He described the humanitarian situation there as alarming. He also said women have become victims of rape by the militias massed by the government near the border.

According to the United Nations reports, around 300,000 people have died and 2.7 million fled their homes since rebels in Darfur first rose up against the Arab-dominated government in Khartoum in February 2003. However, the government says 10,000 people have been killed.

(ST)