KHARTOUM, Sept 17: Darfur rebels on Wednesday accused the Sudanese government of launching heavy attacks in north Darfur, the latest in a series of violence in Sudan’s war-torn western region.

Fighters from the Sudan Liberation Army (SLA) have reported an upsurge in fighting in the past 10 days.

“The government attacked us early in the morning with many vehicles and militias,” said Abu Bakr Kadu, a commander from the SLA-Unity faction, speaking from Darfur.

The fiercest fighting took place close to Tawila in North Darfur state, he said.

“There has been heavy fighting, and we have captured several vehicles. The government soldiers have retreated to El-Fasher, and the fighting is over now for the night,” he said late on Wednesday.

“We will be ready in the morning again for them.” There was no immediate response from the military.

However, a Sudanese army spokesman has repeatedly insisted that the only military action under way is against bandits responsible for a spate of attacks on aid convoys.—AFP