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Sudan 'begins new Darfur attacks' Sudan 'begins new Darfur attacks'
(20 minutes later)
The Sudanese government together with the Janjaweed militia have launched new attacks in northern Darfur, the African Union (AU) has said.The Sudanese government together with the Janjaweed militia have launched new attacks in northern Darfur, the African Union (AU) has said.
The AU said the ground and air offensive was a flagrant violation of security agreements.The AU said the ground and air offensive was a flagrant violation of security agreements.
It said there had been a heavy toll on a civilian population. Rebels in the area said 70 people had died.It said there had been a heavy toll on a civilian population. Rebels in the area said 70 people had died.
Earlier, Sudan welcomed the UN's support for AU peacekeepers in Darfur but denied the UN will take command.Earlier, Sudan welcomed the UN's support for AU peacekeepers in Darfur but denied the UN will take command.
The AU said in a statement that Birmaza, a much fought over village in Darfur, had been subject to ground and aerial assault.The AU said in a statement that Birmaza, a much fought over village in Darfur, had been subject to ground and aerial assault.
I met... women [in Darfur] who were pleading for security, who said we are abused, we are raped, we are attacked and nobody seems to want to protect us Jan EgelandUN humanitarian chief
The statement said there had been heavy casualties among the civilian population, but gave no figures.The statement said there had been heavy casualties among the civilian population, but gave no figures.
Rebels in the area said the government troops and Arab militia were continuing on Saturday to burn villages and loot cattle.Rebels in the area said the government troops and Arab militia were continuing on Saturday to burn villages and loot cattle.
So far there has been no official reaction from the government in Khartoum.So far there has been no official reaction from the government in Khartoum.
'No UN troops''No UN troops'
The AU statement comes only days after the Sudanese government welcomed the UN's support to strengthen the AU peacekeeping mission in Darfur.The AU statement comes only days after the Sudanese government welcomed the UN's support to strengthen the AU peacekeeping mission in Darfur.
Quick guide: Darfur Q&A: Peacekeeping in DarfurQuick guide: Darfur Q&A: Peacekeeping in Darfur
UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Thursday after talks on Darfur in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, that a compromise had been reached for a hybrid UN-AU force in Sudan's western region.UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said on Thursday after talks on Darfur in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, that a compromise had been reached for a hybrid UN-AU force in Sudan's western region.
But Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol said shortly afterwards that "there should be no talk about a mixed force" and that there would be no UN troops in Darfur.But Sudanese Foreign Minister Lam Akol said shortly afterwards that "there should be no talk about a mixed force" and that there would be no UN troops in Darfur.
Mr Akol said that the UN would simply provide technical support.Mr Akol said that the UN would simply provide technical support.
Khartoum has always rejected plans to replace the AU force with a larger, stronger UN mission.Khartoum has always rejected plans to replace the AU force with a larger, stronger UN mission.
Violence has intensified despite a peace deal in May between the government and one of the Darfur rebel groups.Violence has intensified despite a peace deal in May between the government and one of the Darfur rebel groups.
UN humanitarian chief Jan Egeland has cut short his trip to Darfur after Sudan's government told him it would be too dangerous for him to travel outside the region's major towns.UN humanitarian chief Jan Egeland has cut short his trip to Darfur after Sudan's government told him it would be too dangerous for him to travel outside the region's major towns.
Mr Egeland has said the international community should not drag its heals over implementing the Darfur deal, warning that more people would die in the region. Mr Egeland said on Saturday the international community should not drag its heals over implementing the Darfur deal, warning that more people would die in the region.
He said that leaders "from all over the world... swore to protect civilian populations. We have a responsibility to protect. We are not living up to that responsibility in Darfur today.
"I met... yesterday women [in Darfur] who were pleading for security, who said we are abused, we are raped, we are attacked and nobody seems to want to protect us," Mr Egeland said.
Violence spreadsViolence spreads
A further possible area of disagreement on the peacekeeping mission is the size of the new force.A further possible area of disagreement on the peacekeeping mission is the size of the new force.
The UN also wants a force of 17,000 troops, while Sudan says 12,000 would be enough.The UN also wants a force of 17,000 troops, while Sudan says 12,000 would be enough.
The conflict has killed or displaced hundreds of thousands of peopleThe conflict has killed or displaced hundreds of thousands of people
There are currently some 7,000 AU troops in Darfur.There are currently some 7,000 AU troops in Darfur.
Sudan has always said that the problems in Darfur are being exaggerated for political reasons.Sudan has always said that the problems in Darfur are being exaggerated for political reasons.
It denies backing Arab Janjaweed militias, which are accused of genocide against Darfur's black African population.It denies backing Arab Janjaweed militias, which are accused of genocide against Darfur's black African population.
Sudan says the militias are being disarmed but reports from Darfur say the army is working with the Janjaweed to destroy villages.Sudan says the militias are being disarmed but reports from Darfur say the army is working with the Janjaweed to destroy villages.
More than 200,000 people have died in three years of conflict in the region.More than 200,000 people have died in three years of conflict in the region.
About three million have fled their homes.About three million have fled their homes.