SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS IN STRONGEST POSSIBLE TERMS FRIDAY’S ATTACKS ON WEST

DARFUR CIVILIANS, REPORTED TO HAVE INCLUDED AIR STRIKES BY GOVERNMENT FORCES

The following statement was issued on Saturday, 9 February, by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

On Friday, 8 February, the towns of Abu Suruj, Sirba and Seleia, all located north of the state capital in West Darfur, suffered attacks, reportedly from Janjaweed militia supported by Sudanese armed forces.  The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) has received preliminary reports confirming that an estimated 200 casualties have resulted from the fighting and that the town of Abu Suruj, which is home to thousands of civilians, has been burned to the ground.  The attack in Seleia is reported to have included air strikes from Government forces.

The Secretary-General condemns these attacks on civilian towns in the strongest possible terms and stresses that all parties must adhere to international humanitarian law, which prohibits military attacks against civilians.  All parties must urgently cease hostilities and commit to the political process being led by the Special Envoys of the United Nations and African Union.

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For information media • not an official record