AMIS CAMP IN HASKANITA ATTACKED

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001526 SIPDIS SENSITIVE, SIPDIS DEPT FOR AF/SPG, S/CRS DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV KPKO SOCI AU UN US SU SUBJECT: AMIS CAMP IN HASKANITA ATTACKED -------------- ATTACK ON AMIS IN HASKANITA -------------- ¶1. (SBU) On the evening of September 29 the AMIS Military Group Site (MGS) in Haskanita came under brazen attack by an unidentified force using small arms fire, machine gun fire, and rocket-propelled grenades, but the attack was repulsed. In the early hours of September 30, the MGS was attacked again and this time overrun. AMIS issued a statement confirming that 10 AMIS soldiers were killed, seven injured, and some fifty missing. Although AMIS patrols have become involved in clashes before, this is the first attack on an MGS. ¶2. (SBU) At the AMIS morning briefing in El Fasher, the Chief of Staff reported that Force Commander Agwai was preparing to fly to Al Daein in South Darfur, where relief troops are staging, including troops from the Nyala and Muhajeria MGSs. The Chief of Staff further noted that all the buildings in the MGS had been ransacked or burned. He added that the relief column would advance to Haskanita when the area is cleared by the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF),who would also evacuate the wounded if required. According to United Nations security personnel, both they and AMIS have received permission from the Sudanese government to conduct flights into the area. -------------- SPECULATION AS TO WHO AND WHY -------------- ¶3. (SBU) An AMIS press statement issued the afternoon of September 30 did not address what forces conducted the attack or the nationalities of those killed. However, MGS Haskanita is in a sector manned by Nigerian troops. There were also reports that a Senegalese CivPol officer was killed. In the morning briefing, the Chief of Staff speculated that the attack had been carried out by SLA/Unity, since, he noted, the JEM had left that area four days previously. As for motive, he speculated it may have been SLA/Unity frustration that AMIS had not been able to halt SAF air attacks against them. ¶4. (SBU) The general sense among AMIS contacts is shock, but also shame that they were not able to come to the aid of their comrades under attack. A military observer expressed concern that this may not be the last such attack. ¶5. (SBU) Further reporting will be provided septel. FERNANDEZ