Rebels in the volatile Sudanese region of Darfur have accused the government of carrying out air raids in western Sudan ahead of scheduled peace talks.

"The army attacked our positions," claimed the Sudan Liberation Army (SLR) Spokesperson Ibrahim al-Hillu on Saturday, quoted by AFP.

The reported attack took place around an SLR stronghold in north Darfur, some 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the border with Chad.

Government officials have so far not commented on the rebels' account as officials with the African Union peacekeepers in the country try to get an official word on the allegation.

No further details have been reported on the rebel's claim.

According to the UN, 2.7 million have been displaced due to the conflict since 2003 and the consequent famine and disease in Darfur.

The rebels have taken up arms against the government in the Darfur conflict over allegations of discrimination against them.

The rebels' comments come ahead of the next week's peace talks in Qatar, which was meant to broker a deal between sparring SLR and Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) rebels and the Sudanese government.