UNAMID peacekeepers confirm air attacks in Darfur

July 28, 2011 (KHARTOUM) — Darfur’s joint African Union and United Nations peacekeeping mission have confirmed reports of air strikes carried out by the Sudanese army in the restive region during this month.

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) and rebel groups spoke about air attacks by the Sudanese army in the South Darfur region but have no clear details about the area effected by the bombing or the causalities.

In a short statement released on Wednesday the African Union-United Nations peacekeeping operation (UNAMID) confirmed the recent air strikes in near the area of Abu Hamara, 20km west of Khor Abeche in South Darfur.

The hybrid mission further reported the death of one person and two wounded and mentioned that civilians fled a number of villages in the area.

Asked about the air attacks, Hussein Abu Sharati, spokesperson of Darfur IDPs said they had received reports about air strikes in areas located east of Nyala, capital of South Darfur on 9 July.

He added that the civilians have moved from the area to IDP camps as the bombing has destroyed their homes and killed their livestock.

Abu Sharati spoke about the poor situation of the camps stressing that the residents suffer generally from a lack of medications and potable water. He urged to redouble efforts in this respect and to send more shelter materials for the new residents in the different camps.

The Justice and Equality Movement also condemned the attacks and said they come as direct results to the signing of a peace agreement between the government and the Liberation and Justice Movement (LJM) in Doha on 14 July.

“We know well that the Doha agreement will not bring peace in Darfur,” said Gibreel Adam Bilal underlining it will give the army a pretext to resume attacks on rebel positions.

He also urged aid groups to provide the newly displaced villagers with food and shelters.

(ST)