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Darfur rebels accuse Sudanese army of launching attack
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Aug 14, 2008 - 6:41:29 AM

Darfur rebels accuse Sudanese army of launching attack

Posted 9 hours 38 minutes ago
Updated 9 hours 18 minutes ago

Rebels in the Sudanese region of Darfur have accused the Sudanese army of launching a major offensive against their northern bases.

A local commander of one faction said the attack involved Government troops in more than 200 cars and trucks.

They are said to be supported by hundreds of Janjaweed fighters riding camels and horses.

An army spokesman declined to comment on the rebels' allegations.

But the attack was confirmed by a leading member of another rebel group, the Sudan Liberation Army Unity Faction.

He says the Government was trying to clear rebels out of the area so that Chinese workers could search for oil.

Last month Sudanese media reported that Chinese oil service companies were in negotiations to start exploring potential oil fields in Darfur with the Sudanese army providing security.

Sudan's oil ministry has so far remained tight-lipped on whether exploration work has even begun.

- BBC