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U.S. concerned over renewed Sudanese bombing

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Wednesday, May 29, 2002

The United States is concerned that renewed fighting between Sudanese rebels and government forces will torpedo efforts to expand the current ceasefire in the Nuba mountains.

U.S. officials said Sudan's military has resumed its air and ground attacks on rebels in the war-torn south. The officials said Sudanese civilians have been killed during air force attacks on suspected rebel-held villages.

The attacks came during a week-long ceasefire in the south announced by the Sudan People's Liberation Army. The SPLA announced a cessation of military activities that was to have ended on Sunday.

Russian-made AN-24 bombers raided four villages in southern Sudan throughout the weekend. The SPLA said 17 people were killed.

The SPLA said the Khartoum regime violated the ceasefire called for in the oil-producing areas near the Blue Nile. An SPLA statement said Sudanese planes bombed the area on May 22, killing 18 people.

"By constantly violating confidence-building measures, the international community and particularly the United States should no longer harbor any illusions about the government of Sudan's willingness to make peace," the SPLA statement said.

U.S. officials said the bombings violated Khartoum's pledge to protect civilians caught in the 19-year civil war. The officials said Sudan's repeated bombing raids have prevented Khartoum's removal from the State Department list of terrorist sponsors.

Khartoum has denied the May 22 attack in the Western Upper Nile. In March, the United States arranged a ceasefire in the Nuba mountains that included an agreement for the protection of civilians and infrastructure.

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