Cablegate: Darfur: Undss Update On Kulkul Area Bombings

VZCZCXRO7581
PP RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1906 2230413
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 110413Z AUG 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 4103
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA

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

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