Cablegate: Darfur: Update On Recent Attacks

VZCZCXRO2805
PP RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #2766 3341517
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 301517Z NOV 06
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 5437
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE PRIORITY
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA PRIORITY

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

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