Bombings in Golo leave ‘several dead’

The Sudanese Air Force is accused of bombing large areas near the central town of Golo and of West Jebel Marra in Central Darfur, on Friday, 4 January, onlookers told Radio Dabanga. Several people were killed and injured, however witnesses were not yet able to assess the exact number of casualties. An unidentified number of cattle were also killed and large farms areas were burned, according to local reports. Eye-witnesses recounted that an Antonov airplane began bombing the Golo area at 6am and the shelling continued throughout the day and evening. They said scared civilians fled in the directions of Kass, South Darfur and Nertiti, while others are seeking refuge from the shelling near mountains, valleys or under trees. Sources from Golo told Radio Dabanga that there is a large concentration of government forces and militiamen near Zalingei and Nertiti. Mustafa Tambour, military spokesman of the Sudan Liberation Movement-Abdel Wahid (SLM-AW), claimed the Sudanese Air Force dropped more than 36 bombs just north of the Jildu garrison controlled by the rebels. He stated the bombs killed dozens of cattle and destroyed large farm and pasture areas. According to Tambour, there is a large concentration of government forces and militiamen in the Khor Ramlat area, near Nertiti, “preparing to attack them”.Radio Dabanga file photoRelated:SRF Abdel Wahid overruns two SAF garrisons in Darfur (28 December 2012)Bombings kill two near Golo, C. Darfur (27 December 2012)