afrol News, 15 September - Darfur rebel groups have today accused Sudanese armed forces for launching attacks in Sudan's war torn region, a move they feel could compromise truce.

Rebel groups said attacks started on Friday and that civilians have began fleeing the troubled area. They said government air assaults have struck villages of Tarny and Khazan Tungur and other settlements in North Darfur east of Jebel Marra.

The recent spate of clashes comes amid mounting pressure on Sudanese president Omar al-Beshir as he seeks to head off potential charges from International Criminal Court for alleged war crimes and genocide in Darfur.

According to Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) villages have been burnt and insurgents bombed by Antonov aircraft since fighting erupted on Friday southwest of El-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur state.

Minni Arcua Minnawi, leader of SLA said four of his troops were killed and 16 wounded having come under attack at their base in Kolge in east Jebel Marra region on Sunday.

Mr Minnawi who became a presidential advisor after his group signed a peace agreement in 2006 with Khartoum has accused ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of attempting to break off the peace process.

"We want to respect peace process, but we are fighting in self-defence. If the peace agreement is over, it is over from one side, NCP side," Mr Minnawi said.

"The fighting began again early this morning at Khazan Tungur, soon after dawn," said Abu Bakr Kadu, a commander from SLA-Unity faction saying approximately 70 government vehicles packed with troops were involved.

"There are government troops and Antonov aeroplanes, and we are fighting," he said.

Commander Ibrahim Al-Hillo, from a faction of the SLA headed by exiled leader Abdel Wahid Mohammed al-Nur, also accused government of indiscriminately attacking villages and civilians using same tactics they used at the beginning of the conflict in Darfur.

A helicopter belonging to joint UN-African Union mission in Darfur (UNAMID) 16 staff, is also said to have been forced to land, after being fired at on Sunday, close to the area of reported fighting, damaging a fuel tank.

The helicopter returned safely to base after emergency repairs, but it was the third time the force's aircraft have come under attack, a statement issued Monday said.

Other rebels said government forces were helping militia loot villages and animals around the villages of Disa and Birmaza, some 140 kilometres (90 miles) northwest of El-Fasher.

According to United Nations, up to 300,000 people have died and more than 2.2 million fled their homes since rebels rose up against Khartoum in February 2003. Sudan says 10,000 people have been killed.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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