February 18, 2008 (PARIS) — Four people are killed by Sudanese military aircraft during an aerial raid against the SLM controlled area of Jebel Moun in west Darfur, a Darfur rebel commander told Sudan Tribune.

A displaced Sudanese man looks at his burnt-down house after militiamen burnt the Sereaf village, southwest of Al Genenia, in west Darfur along the Sudan Chad border, April 22, 2005. (Reuters).

The rebel stronghold of Jebel Moun, in West Darfur is controlled by troops loyal to the SLM founder Abdel-Wahid Al-Nur. The different displaced camps in the area were the subject of regular attacks by the Khartoum backed militias in the past.

Abbas Mohamed Offail, the rebel commander of Jebel Moun, told the Sudan Tribune by telephone satellite that the attack occurred on Monday around 11:00 am local time. He said the Antonov bombed three positions in the area.

Adding that a woman was killed by a projectile cutting off her two legs in Aru Sharow, the military aircraft also bombed a second position in western Jebel Moun but there are no causalities reported according the rebel commander. Further he said that 12 projectiles were launched against Bir Kjenko, the unique water well in the area where all the IDPs take the potable water.

In this third position among the deaths there was a child, the rebel commander regretted.

Adrian Edwards, spokesman for the hybrid peacekeeping mission known as UNAMID, confirmed to Reuters that they had received reports of bombing but said they did not know what they were targeting.

"Our primary concern has to be for the safety of civilians in this area," he said. "We will be seeking access to the affected area from the government as soon as possible to monitor the impact, if any, on the civilian population."

AL-NUR CONDEMNS

Abdelwahid Al-Nur, the SLM leader, condemned in the strongest terms the aerial attack urging the international community to put pressure on Khartoum to stop "these criminal and barbaric attacks against the innocent civilians."

The influential rebel leader, who refuses to negotiate with the Sudanese government without the “Conflict Suspension” told Sudan Tribune that World has to understand how much it is difficult for Darfur people to negotiate with "children and women killers" under such conditions.

He said that his troops are expecting a new offensive similar to November and December 2006 attacks. Mockingly, he said "Khartoum which repeats we have no troops now is preparing to attack us."

Al-Nur addressing his words to the international community warned that as a peace lover, the leadership of the SLM exercises restraint and hopes that international pressures could lead Khartoum to implement the signed ceasefire.

"Till now we are in a defensive position refusing to wage war in the region to protect our civilians" Al-Nur said. Adding "Khartoum’s aggression against civilians must stop and we can’t tolerate such situation for long time."

He further reiterated his rejection to negotiate with Khartoum unless an effective protection for Darfur civilians is provided by the international community.

"I can not make any compromise on this issue of negotiations and pressures can’t lead me to change my mind on this position of principle" angrily said the rebel leader.

(ST)