Sudan kills five civilians in Darfur during aerial bombing – rebels

January 6, 2010 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese army has resumed daily bombardments in Darfur since the beginning of the New Year killing some five civilians in the restive region, a rebel group said today.
The Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) said Wednesday Sudanese military Antonov aircrafts bombed on daily basis civilian and rebel targets in West Darfur state since Sunday 3 January.
Speaking via satellite telephone Al Tigani Kurshaom, a JEM commander in the area, told Sudan Tribune that three children and two women were killed during the Antonov attacks as well as hundreds of camels belonging to the nomads in the areas.
The bombing included the areas of Al-Tamor, Abu Remail, Aljabat and Um Daraba in West Darfur state. Also the bombardment targeted some locations at the east of El-Geneina, the capital of the state.
“We regret that these indiscriminate attacks target mainly civilians and their livestock, said the deputy head of JEM nomad division who belongs to Darfur Arab tribes.
The rebel official further urged international protection of Dafur nomads saying Khartoum is targeting them now after their rejection to implement Khartoum plans in the region.
“Khartoum government is targeting the Arabs after they decided to join their hands with the rest of Darfur tribes. We are against the marginalization and the genocide of Darfuri because we are part and parcel of this region.”
“The army now is attacking our people and the international community has to stop this new genocide particularly, the UNAMID which has to protect the civilians,” he stressed.
JEM rebels signed a confidence building deal with the Sudanese government in February 2009 but the talks between the two sides stopped after Khartoum refusal to implement two conditions dealing with humanitarian situation and the release of its fighters detained in Khartoum.
Recently the mediation urged Khartoum to create a conducive environment for the peace process also the Joint mediator called on the government and rebel groups to sign a ceasefire agreement.
(ST)