Hashaba area hit by aerial attacks

Hashaba area was hit by an aerial attack on Wednesday morning September 26, according to news reports from Kutum locality, North Darfur. The aerial attack was carried out by fighter helicopters and dense smoke could be seen rising from the town’s market, witnesses told Radio Dabanga. Other reports mention that several people were killed and injured by the attack. At the time of the attack, pro-government militias engaged in widespread looting in the region.Fathi Osman Ahmed, official spokesperson of SLM-Abdullah Yahya, announced the death of 47 civilians, among them 11 women, and 38 injured civilians, as a result of the aerial attack on the market and its surrounding areas on Tuesday. He added that the market was invaded by pro-government militias, who looted the shops and set them on fire. Fathi also pointed to the looting of several villages in the region by pro-government militias. Chief commander killedFathi announced the killing of Abdel Nabi Osman, the movement’s chief commander, and Yousef Nurein Ahmed, advisor of the chief commander. The two were killed during clashes with government forces and militias.He said that the movement’s troops, which were said to have intervened for the people’s protection, inflicted severe losses on their opponents. Radio Dabanga contacted UNAMID to verify the reported events, but was not able to speak to the press-officer.Related content:Dozens killed in clashes between government and rebels (25 September 2012)