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UN peacekeepers concerned over fighting in Sudan's Darfur

Xinhua, January 18, 2016 Adjust font size:

The UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) expressed concern over the fighting between the Sudanese army and armed groups in Central Darfur State on Sunday.

"UNAMID is deeply concerned about ongoing fighting between government forces and armed movements in the Jebel Marra area, Central Darfur, near the Mission's Nertiti team site," it said in a statement.

UNAMID personnel in Nertiti also reported five bombs being dropped in an area northeast of their location, the statement noted.

"The impact of the bombs was felt at the team site. Shops and markets in Nertiti have been shut down in fear of robbery and attacks," the mission added.

Armed clashes erupted on Saturday between the Sudanese army and the rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM)/Abdul-Wahid Nur faction in Central Darfur State, the Sudanese army spokesman told Xinhua.

These military confrontations came despite the decision by the Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir in December to extend a ceasefire in Darfur.

To this end, Al-Shami reiterated the Sudanese army's commitment to the ceasefire, saying "the Sudanese army is committed to the cease-fire declared by the top leadership, but this does not mean we stand arms folded in front of the rebel attacks."

The rebel Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), led by Jibril Ibrahim, the SLM/Minni Minnawi faction and the SLM/Abdul-Wahid Nur faction have been waging war against the Sudanese government since 2003. Endit