Warplanes continue bombing in areas of Darfur

Sudanese warplanes are bombing areas of Darfur, according to a rebel movement. The Justice and Equality Movement said that Sudan’s air force continues to indiscriminately bomb areas in North Darfur and the border zone between North and South Darfur, targeting civilians and their property and livestock at random and deliberately.Abubakr Hamid Al Nur, JEM secretary for management and administration, told Radio Dabanga that the aerial bombardment yesterday hit villages west of El Fasher at the border between South and North Darfur.

Several types of aircraft were involved, including MiGs and Antonovs. The Sudanese army denies that it frequently targets civilians and villages in Darfur.

Meanwhile, the group Human Rights Watch accused both the Sudanese government and rebel forces of targeting civilians and committing other violations. In a statement, the organization said that both the government and rebels ethnically discriminated in making unlawful attacks on civilians. The rights group said that under international humanitarian law applicable in Darfur, the Armed Forces must ensure that they hit only military targets and not civilians. The group said that intentionally targeting civilians and civilian property is a war crime.