WASHINGTON — The Sudanese Air Force has resumed air strikes in the
war-torn Darfour province.
The United Nations has determined that the air force has been recruited
to fight rebel factions in Darfour. In a report, the UN said the air force
employed helicopters to deliver supplies and strafe rebel positions.
"New front lines are opening all the time in new areas," UN humanitarian
relief coordinator Jan Egeland said.
In 2004, Sudan pledged to end air strikes and most flights in Darfour, Middle East Newsline reported.
Since then, the UN and rebels said Khartoum has repeatedly employed combat
helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft to attack rebel-controlled villages in
the province.
In a July 11 briefing, Egeland said government forces have deployed
helicopters painted white to support ground forces in Darfour. Both the UN
and African Union use white helicopters for relief operations.
"This is again a violation of international principles and a dire threat
to UN staff who go on the white helicopters that are neutral and impartial
and should not be attacked," Egeland said.
Egeland said the Sudanese military has been involved in the war between
factions of the rebel Sudan Liberation Army. He said fighting within the
SLA, which earlier battled the regime-backed Janjaweed militia, has
displaced about 8,000 civilians in a 10-day period.
"It is heartbreaking to see that what the SLA groups had rightfully
accused the Janjaweed of doing they are now doing themselves to the civilian
population caught in the crossfire," Egeland said.
