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Sudan's government breached a cease-fire, when it bombed villages in northern Darfur, news agencies have reported. The African Union's peacekeeping forces are already investigating two other aerial attacks reported in the last few days, and will soon send a team to the recently attacked villages, AU spokesman Nour A-Din Mezni told reporters.
A military spokesman denied the government conducted any bombings. Nevertheless, the rebels claim three villages were destroyed over the weekend in several areas near Hashaba and Ein Sirro.
The United States embassy in Khartoum called on the government of Sudan to respond positively to the AU negotiating efforts. AU officials are trying to organize a meeting between the government and the Darfur rebels. The U.S. special envoy to Sudan Andrew Natsios met on Friday with Darfur rebel leaders in neighboring Chad and urged them to work together to end the fighting in the region.
International humanitarian organizations are alarmed by the ongoing conflict in Darfur. More than 200,000 people have died since the conflict erupted in 2003. Acts of rape and murder are still a daily occurrence in the region. | 
