DARFUR: UPDATE ON RECENT ATTACKS

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 002766 SIPDIS SIPDIS SENSITIVE DEPARTMENT FOR AF/SPG AND AF/SE NSC FOR PITTMAN AND SHORTLEY E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL MOPS SU SUBJECT: DARFUR: UPDATE ON RECENT ATTACKS ¶1. (SBU) The following timeline describes attacks in Darfur in the last week. It is based on information from the UN Department for Safety and Security (UNDSS) and Embassy reporting. -- November 28: SAF captured 16 vehicles and an undetermined number of fighters and weapons from the National Redemption Front (NRF) in Mellit. Among those captured was the deputy commander of the NRF. Separately, Arab militia looted a dozen shops in Mellit. -- November 26: Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF),supported by Antonov bombers, attacked Sani Hayat, 100 kilometers north of El Fasher. Ten civilians were killed. -- November 26: NRF forces led by Adam Bakheit attacked the Abu Jabra oil installation in South Darfur. Bakheit claimed to have seized weapons, 12 vehicles, and other supplies. The NRF withdrew shortly after the attack. -- November 25: A SAF Antonov bombed the village of Mou, 110 kilometers northeast of El Fasher, hitting a school. The attack killed one child and wounded several others. -- November 24: Unconfirmed reports indicate that Haskanita, a stronghold of Senior Assistant to the President and SLM leader Minni Minawi, was attacked by the National Redemption Front (NRF). Minawi's forces denied the reports, while NRF contacts and independent sources claimed that some troops loyal to Minawi had changed sides during the attack. The NRF claimed it had moved into the area in order to protect the population from ongoing militia attacks. -- November 24: Residents of Um Jalbagh village north of El Fasher reported a joint SAF-Arab militia attack that resulted in four fatalities and eight casualties, in addition to the burning of huts and the looting of livestock. -- November 24: G-19 rebels ambushed a SAF convoy of 49 vehicles between Sani Hayi and Hillet Sani. Six of the vehicles were reportedly burned and nine captured. Thiry-seven SAF soldier and 14 rebels died. -- November 24: G-19/NRF forces clashed with the SAF between Birmaza and Wakhaim. The number of casualties is unknown. The rebels claimed that the Sudanese government used a white helicopter to evacuate injured soldiers in order to make it appear as if it were a UN or AMIS aircraft. -- November 23: Arab militias from Um Jalpakh (north of Tawila) attacked a village in the area of Um Saheal between El Fasher and Tawila. One villager was killed and livestock were looted. -- November 22: Unknown gunmen with 23 vehicles attacked the Sudanese government Special Police camp in Menawashi. The attack left six policemen and a civilian dead and five wounded. The gunmen withdrew in the direction of eastern Jebel Marra. HUME