Sudan says Darfur rebels attacked town

June 15, 2012 (KHARTOUM) – Rebel forces from Sudan’s western region of Darfur attacked a town on Friday before being chased out by the army, the country’s official news agency SUNA has reported.

SUNA cited a statement issued by the spokesperson of South Darfur government saying that armed rebels attacked Um Ajora town in Al-Salam locality and targeted properties of ordinary citizens as well as government offices.

The report failed to mention which of Darfur rebel groups attacked but said that the army was able to repel the assailants and assert control over the city.

No rebel group claimed responsibility for the alleged attack.

There has been an increase of rebel activities in Darfur over recent months although the most powerful group, the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), is now largely fighting in the neighboring region of South Kordofan.

Three Darfur rebel group including JEM, the Sudan Liberation Movement of Minni Minawi (SLM-MN) and the Sudan Liberation Movement of Abdel Wahid Nur (SLM-WN) remain outside a peace deal signed between the government and the former rebel Liberation and Justice Movement in mid-July last year.

(ST)