Darfur: UNDSS Update on Kulkul Area Bombings

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001906 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: MOPS PREF EAID EAGR UN SU SUBJECT: Darfur: UNDSS Update on Kulkul Area Bombings ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The UNDSS visited the Kulkul area of North Darfur on August 8; an estimated 40 bombs had struck the area during the period of approximately July 26 - August 7. UNDSS estimates 20 individuals died in the hostilities. Despite the attacks, people were observed planting crops, and returning to villages from IDP camps to farm. There are no reports of unexplained illnesses by either the populace or their livestock. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) The El Fasher USAID Darfur Field Office Field Report of August 9 included the following items from the UNDSS security briefing of the same day. These items involved the August 8 UNDSS visit to Kulkul, North Darfur, to follow up on the reports of aerial bombardments that started on July 26: -- UNDSS along with UNMAS traveled on August 8 to the Kulkul region to assess the humanitarian situation and interview the NRF leadership. This travel went to the villages of Kulkul, Telbo, Hassan, Abu Sakin and Bombai. There was evidence of aerial bombing and ground fighting, particularly in the villages of Telbo, Hassan, and Bobai with evidence of 12 bomb craters located in Hassan alone. In the village of Hassan, a family compound was destroyed and the resident woman head of the household killed. The team reported that several UXOs were identified and UNMAS will be preparing plans to deal with them in the next few days. This aerial bombardment began on approximately the 26th of July and ended with the aircraft reportedly being shot down on August 7. Based on interviews with the villagers, UNDSS estimates there were about 20 combatants killed in action on both sides. -- UNDSS observed the following conditions in the Kulkul, Abu Sikin, Kafod, El Fasher rural areas. Agricultural planting is ongoing and the resident population in the target area did not seem to be fleeing in the wake of the action. The roads traveled were passable but certain key points were showing signs of deterioration from heavy rains. The Sudanese Armed Forces buildup was limited to certain camps that were pre-designated as part of the Darfur Peace Agreement. There was no commercial traffic on the roads traveled and evidence of this in the village markets was noted. -- Finally, UNDSS reported that it did not observe IDPs flowing south out of the war area, but did observe IDPs heading from the El Fasher camps back to their villages in the north to engage in agricultural activities. These were mostly men, but also included some women. UNDSS estimated that the total number observed was approximately 60. ¶3. (SBU) Comment: Initial contacts with humanitarian agencies operating in the area indicate no reports of unexplained illnesses among the resident population or livestock. End comment. HUME