CAIRO — The Sudanese Air Force has resumed strikes against rebel
positions in Darfour.
Sudanese rebels said An-26 air transports and Mi-24 attack helicopters
have been supporting infantry units in a government offensive in Darfour,
which began on Aug. 29. The rebels said the aircraft were conducting raids
nearly every day for more than a week against targets north of El Fasher,
the capital of Darfour.
The Khartoum regime has confirmed the military offensive, Middle East Newsline reported. But it denied
the air strikes, banned under the peace agreement.
Sudan has also rejected a United Nations Security Council resolution
designed to deploy up to 22,000 peace-keepers in Darfour. The mandate of the
African Union peace-keeping force, which consists of 7,000 troops, was
scheduled to expire on Sept. 30.
The government targets were identified as those of the National
Redemption Front. The front controls northern Darfour and has refused to
sign a U.S.-brokered peace deal in May 2006.
Rebel sources said the Sudan's military has been bolstered by new
equipment as well as the addition of recruits from former rebel groups. In
all, the sources said, the government has sent 10,000 troops to Darfour.
Moreover, rebel groups have been hampered by Chad's pledge to stop the
flow of fuel and weapons to Darfour, the sources said. Chad and Sudan have
agreed to cooperate in border security as part of Khartoum's effort to end
the three-year revolt in Darfour.
The AU has confirmed the Sudanese offensive and said at least 1,000
villagers have fled. The UN has also reported government violence in
Darfour.
On Sept. 3, at least two people were killed and 10 injured in El Fasher
during a clash with police. Police officers had been sent to El Fasher
University to disperse a rally that called for the deployment of UN troops.
"The call for deployment of international forces in Darfour is part of a
comprehensive conspiracy for confiscating the country's sovereignty and
imposing guardianship on the Sudanese people," Sudanese President Omar
Bashir said.
