UN reports heavy fighting in troubled Darfur

UNITED NATIONS, Dec 2 (AFP) — The United Nations announced heavy fighting took place in Sudan’s troubled Darfur region, and put one area off limits to UN staff after an ambush on police.

Sudanese security forces stand guard outside the WFP base in Abu Shouk camp on the outskirts of the northern Darfur town of El-Fasher., December 2, 2004. (AFP).

“The mission reported heavy fighting today in a government stronghold southwest of Nyala in south Darfur, as well as shooting at a camp housing displaced persons in Kalma yesterday,” spokesman Fred Eckhard said.

“In west Darfur, the area north of Jenina has been declared a no-go area for UN staff until further notice following an ambush of policemen (Wednesday),” Eckhard said.

A spokesman for the UN envoy to Sudan on Wednesday announced that 15 civilians had been killed in violence this week as bloodshed continues in the troubled region.

The Darfur conflict erupted in February 2003, when rebels rose up to demand an end to the marginalisation of their region by Khartoum as well as a bigger share of Sudan’s riches. The United Nations has described the conflict as the world’s worst ongoing humanitarian crisis.

More than 70,000 people have been killed or have died from hunger and disease in the area, according to the United Nations, and another 1.5 million have been displaced.