Conflict & emergencies

Sudan: Renewed military activity in Darfur

Darfur Relief and Documentation Centre

2009-10-08, Issue 451

http://pambazuka.org/en/category/conflict/59326

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Darfur Relief and Documentation Centre (DRDC) is gravely concerned about the renewed military operations and displacement of civilians in Darfur. Violence is reported in Korma, Meliet, Jebal Moo, Jebal Mediob and eastern Jebal Marra in North Darfur State. Heavy military equipments including fighter planes and artillery are being used intensively during the last 4 weeks causing indiscriminate damage on civilian targets.

Darfur Relief and Documentation Centre (DRDC) is gravely concerned about the renewed military operations and displacement of civilians in Darfur. Violence is reported in Korma, Meliet, Jebal Moo, Jebal Mediob and eastern Jebal Marra in North Darfur State. Heavy military equipments including fighter planes and artillery are being used intensively during the last 4 weeks causing indiscriminate damage on civilian targets. Wide spread burning of dwellings and destruction of social facilities followed by organised looting of goods and livestock from the villagers were reported in many places. This new round of military action puts an end to a period of about 6 months of relative calm in the region.

In the first week of September 2009 the government army and the Janjaweed militia started military offensive in Ain Siro area in North Darfur. In the following days fighting broke out between the army and the Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) led by Abdelwahid Al-Nur in Korma area (70 km northwest of El-Fashir). Two SLM soldiers and 5 civilians including Mr. Ibrahim Adam Mohamed a long time primary school teacher died in this attack. Displacement of civilians is currently taking place in the area where about 12,000 IDPs were forced to abandon their villages. The security forces blocked the main access routes to the operation areas thus preventing many civilians from reaching more secure zones in major towns like Tawila and El Fasher. For several days the army and the SLM refused to allow UNAMID access to the affected areas. On 28th and 29th September 2009, the government launched a new offensive in the Meilit area in North Darfur. In Jebal Moo, northwest of Meilit, at least 20 civilians including children were killed and dozen others injured.

DRDC received reports that the Government continues building-up troops and military assets in different parts of Darfur. Thousands of soldiers and light military vehicles are being deployed in North Darfur in the environs of Kuttum and Kabkabiya. It is also reported that hundreds of armed Chadian rebels are currently stationed in Argi, Umdersai, Korri, Fono and Korti areas in North Darfur in their way to settle in Ain Siro. The locals expressed fears that Ain Siro could witness fighting in the coming weeks. It is significant that the renewed military offensives are taking place at a crucial time at the end of the rainy season and while villagers prepare to harvest their stable food. In another incident on 28th September 2009 armed men killed a Nigerian peacekeeper and injured two other soldiers during an attack on a UNAMID convoy near El Geneina (West Darfur). The assailants stole one of the convey vehicles.

DRDC condemns the renewed fighting and the targeting of civilians in Darfur. This serious development belies the recent statements made by top UNAMID officials that “the war in Darfur is over.” It also indicates the necessity of a more robust intervention from the international community to put an end to the ongoing military action, violence and atrocious acts against civilians in the region. Ends.

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