Sudanese begin new offensive in Darfur region

DARFUR rebels said Sudanese planes and troops attacked villages in the western region yesterday, hours before the UN Security Council voted on the deployment of UN peacekeepers to the region.

Rights groups and Washington have accused Sudan’s Khartoum-based government, which opposes the UN troop deployment, of a huge military build-up in recent weeks.

The rebels said the new offensive began two days ago as government forces attacked and occupied Kulkul, about 35 km (22 miles) north of Darfur’s main town, el-Fasher.