Sudan: Rebels denounce new air raids 
 
 
Rebel sources indicate that at least 17 people were killed in the strikes, though the tolls are still preliminary 
 
 
Tuesday, January 23, 2007
MISNA  
 
 
New air raids were carried out by the Sudanese air force over the entire weekend north of El Fasher, capital of North Darfur, one of three States that make up the homonymous western Sudanese region theatre since February 2003 to an internal conflict.

The report arrived from the two main rebel movements active in Darfur, specifying that the Sudanese Antonov’s conducted an intensive bombing campaign starting Friday in the area around Kutum, around 100km north-east of El Fasher and more precisely in the Ein Sirro area.

Rebel sources indicate that at least 17 people were killed in the strikes, though the tolls are still preliminary.

There are no independent confirmations for the moment and the African Union (AU) referred that it will be very difficult to verify reports of the bombings of the past days given that they apparently took place in an area off-limits also for the African peacekeepers.

The AU however referred that two investigative teams were sent to locations in North Darfur, where other bombings were reported.

The rebels accused the government of Khartoum of violating recent accords to relaunch dialogue. Based on the agreement, favoured by a US politician last week on a mission in Sudan, a cease-fire remained in vigour for a month to consent the rebels of the various factions (around a dozen) present in Darfur to meet and discuss the possibility of new talks.

According to the anti-government movements, the bombings of the past days were in fact aimed at impeding the meeting from taking place