War In the Darfur Region Of Sudan Picks Up

A handout released by the United Nations Mission in Sudan shows SPLA (Sudan People's Liberation Army) troops south of Abyei, July 2008. Sudanese armed forces have attacked the only Darfur rebel group to have signed a 2006 peace deal, killing four ex-rebels and threatening to end a two-year alliance. (AFP/UNMIS/File/Tim Mckulka)

Sudan Army Attacks Peace Signatory Darfur Rebels
-- Yahoo News/AP

KHARTOUM (AFP) - Sudanese armed forces have attacked the only Darfur rebel group to have signed a 2006 peace deal, killing four ex-rebels and threatening to end a two-year alliance, their leader said on Sunday.

Minni Minnawi, a leader of the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) faction turned presidential advisor after signing the peace deal with Khartoum, said his forces came under attack at their base at Kolge in the east Jebel Marra region.

"We want to respect the peace process but we are fighting in self-defence," Minnawi said, speaking by satellite telephone from the base in the war-ravaged western Sudanese region.

"They attacked us with Antonov aircraft, helicopters and tanks," he added, accusing the ruling National Congress Party (NCP) of killing off the peace process.

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More News On Darfur And Sudan

Sudan army attacks peace signatory Darfur rebels -- AFP
Sudan launches fresh attacks in Darfur-faction leader -- Reuters South Africa
Sudan launched fresh attacks on Darfur villages, rebels say -- The Telegraph
Sudanese army 'bombing N Darfur' -- BBC
US special envoy says Sudanese army targeted Darfur peace partner -- Sudan Tribune
Darfur villages, clinic destroyed in fighting: rebels -- ABC Online (Australia)
Khartoum’s patterns of violence in Darfur, 2008 -- Sudan Tribune
Britain blocks prosecution of Sudan's ruler -- The Guardian

My Comment: I guess this attack means that the peace/truce that was signed 2 years ago is now void. Should we be surprised?