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Darfur attack kills peacekeepers Darfur attack kills peacekeepers
(about 1 hour later)
An attack on an African Union army base in the Sudanese region of Darfur has reportedly killed 12 peacekeepers. An attack on an African Union army base in the Sudanese region of Darfur has killed at least 12 peacekeepers.
Sources in the region told the BBC that 2,000 rebels had overrun the base. Fifty AU soldiers are still missing.
The casualties were the most serious losses suffered by the AU mission since it arrived in 2003, a spokesman said.The casualties were the most serious losses suffered by the AU mission since it arrived in 2003, a spokesman said.
South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu is due to arrive in Sudan on Sunday, leading a group of elder statesmen and women to discuss peace in Darfur. The attackers made off with all the weapons and vehicles they were able to take, and burned the vehicles that remained, the sources told the BBC.
It is not yet clear whether government or rebel troops were responsible for the overnight attack on the AU base. They said the rebels were under pressure from government forces in the area.
The government and rebels blamed each other for the attack on the base in Haskanita town, which also left 25 people injured. The sources did not say which of the dozen rebel groups that operate in Darfur carried out the overnight attack on the base in Haskanita town.
The African Union has confirmed the base came under an intensive armed attack by unidentified militia, and says the exact number of casualties on both sides is yet to be confirmed. The AU, for its part, did not make clear whether it thought government troops or rebels were responsible.
Reports suggest that the armed men who raided the base stole equipment and vehicles. class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/5316306.stm">Darfur quick guide
It confirmed the base had come under an intensive attack, but said the exact number of casualties on both sides was still unclear.
About 7,000 African Union troops are deployed in Darfur on a limited mandate.About 7,000 African Union troops are deployed in Darfur on a limited mandate.
The UN Security Council has approved a 26,000-strong peacekeeping force to expand the current AU force, which has been struggling to protect civilians.The UN Security Council has approved a 26,000-strong peacekeeping force to expand the current AU force, which has been struggling to protect civilians.
class="" href="/1/hi/world/africa/5316306.stm">Darfur quick guide Mission to Sudan
Archbishop Tutu's delegation, which is due to arrive in the Sudanese capital on Sunday, is the latest initiative to bring peace to Darfur. The attack came as South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu was expected in Sudan, in the latest initiative to bring peace to Darfur.
The group includes the former UN special envoy to Iraq, Lakhdar Brahimi, the former US President Jimmy Carter, and Graca Machel, a children's rights advocate and the wife of Nelson Mandela. The archbishop is leading a delegation that includes former UN special envoy to Iraq, Lakhdar Brahimi, US ex-President Jimmy Carter, and Graca Machel, a children's rights advocate and the wife of Nelson Mandela.
The group of retired elder statesmen, independent of any government or international organisation, came together at Mr Mandela's invitation to find ways to tackle some of the world's toughest problems, such as HIV-Aids, poverty and conflict. The group of retired elder statesmen came together at Mr Mandela's invitation to find ways to tackle some of the world's toughest problems, such as HIV-Aids, poverty and conflict.
The BBC's Amber Henshaw in Khartoum says it is no coincidence that Darfur is the focus of the group's first mission.The BBC's Amber Henshaw in Khartoum says it is no coincidence that Darfur is the focus of the group's first mission.
At least 200,000 people have died and some 2m have been forced from their homes during the four-year conflict.At least 200,000 people have died and some 2m have been forced from their homes during the four-year conflict.
The delegation will meet President Omar al-Bashir and others in Khartoum before travelling to Juba, capital of southern Sudan.The delegation will meet President Omar al-Bashir and others in Khartoum before travelling to Juba, capital of southern Sudan.
They will then travel to Darfur where they will meet community leaders and displaced people living in camps.They will then travel to Darfur where they will meet community leaders and displaced people living in camps.