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12,000 Flee Darfur Raids for Chad

Sudanese gov't says attacks on 3 villages aimed at rebels

By John Abell,  Newser User

Posted Feb 10, 2008 10:27 AM CST
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(Newser) – Government attacks on Darfur villages, ostensibly directed at rebel fighters, have caused a new exodus of at least 12,000 people from western Sudan into Chad, the BBC reports. The government acknowledges bombing three villages Friday, but said it was targeting fighters from the Justice and Equality Movement. Rebel leaders denied their people were in those villages.

Human Rights Watch said 150 people were killed in the raids, though many expected the toll to top 200. "Most are tribal leaders or teachers or people working for the state," one tribal leader told Reuters, while another added: "If someone kills the leadership of the tribe they mean to wipe it out completely." Officials warn that tensions along the Chad-Sudan border could explode.

A French armored personnel carrier stands in front of N'Jamena, Chad, airport Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008. The UN peacekeeping chief warned that the conflict has wider implications, and that rivalry between Chad and Sudan -- which accuse each other of backing the others' rebellions -- could explode into an international...
A French armored personnel carrier stands in front of N'Jamena, Chad, airport Saturday, Feb. 9, 2008. The UN peacekeeping chief warned that the conflict has wider implications, and that rivalry between...   (Associated Press)
Actor George Clooney, center, who was recently designated as a U.N. messenger of peace, visits the Zamzam refugee camp in North Darfur, Sudan, in late January 2008. (AP Photo/UNAMID, Sherren Zorba)
Actor George Clooney, center, who was recently designated as a U.N. messenger of peace, visits the Zamzam refugee camp in North Darfur, Sudan, in late January 2008. (AP Photo/UNAMID, Sherren Zorba)   (Associated Press)
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Darfur attacks

Sudan conflicts at a glance
Reuters

Human Rights Watch: Sudan
Human Rights Watch

'Passion of the Present': Sudan blog
Passion of the Present

 
Darfur • Chad • human rights • Sudan • Human Rights Watch • Janjaweed • rebels • Justice and Equality Movement

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