News Article by AFP posted on July 28, 2003 at 13:47:47: EST (-5 GMT)
More than 50 Sudanese civilians killed in government attacks: rebels
CAIRO, July 28 (AFP) -- More than 50 civilians have been killed in government attacks on villages in Darfur, western Sudan, the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM) said Monday.
"Government forces, helped by armed gangs, torched villages and dropped bombs from Antonov 16 planes in North Darfur state," SLM spokesman Omar Suleiman told AFP by telephone.
"Fifty two villagers were killed. Children were abducted to be taken away and sold and a large number of old people were made homeless," the spokesman added.
SLM secretary general, Mani Arkoi Minawi told AFP on July 20 that at least 300 civilians were killed and 200 others injured during government attacks in Darfur, an isolated and partially desert region on Sudan's border with Chad.
The SLM was founded in Darfur in August 2001 under the name of the Darfur Liberation Movement, before using its current name in February when it began claiming responsibility for several anti-government attacks.
The government had previously refused to acknowledge any political motivation for the unrest among the sedentary peoples of North, South and West Darfur states, blaming it instead on "armed criminal gangs and outlaws".
Khartoum halted peace talks to end the six-month-old war waged by Darfur rebels on Thursday.