7 killed as Darfur rebels, govt forces clash
Fighting between Darfur rebels and government forces near the northern town of Kutum has killed seven people and insurgents said yesterday they shot down two army helicopters in the area.
Despite a May peace deal, violence has increased in Sudan's remote west after rebels who reject the accord formed a military alliance and renewed hostilities with the government.
"The government troops and Janjaweed militia attacked our positions and then attacked a village, killing five men and ... two women," Darfur rebel commander Jar el-Neby told Reuters via satellite telephone.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. He said the government and their allied militia, known locally as Janjaweed, attacked rebel positions near Kutum three days ago and the village of el-Goba, about 16km east of Kutum town, on Friday.
In a separate statement sent to Reuters on Sunday, Darfur rebel official Esam el-Din Hajj said the insurgents had shot down two army helicopters during the clashes.