Arab media

February 11 , 2008

Source: Al Riyadh (Government-friendly Saudi daily with wide circulation)
Headline: Dozens Killed in Large Government Attack on Rebels in Darfur

• According to rebel leader Abdul Aziz Nour Ashr, Sudanese army supported by Janjaweed militia attacked three villages in Darfur killing and wounding tens of civilians
• Ashr described the attack as “collective punishment” against the civilians of the three villages
• He also acknowledged that his forces clashed with the army in eastern Chad

Source: Asharq Al Awsat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: London Wants Better Relations with Khartoum in order to Resolve Darfur Crisis
By: Mina Al Aribi

• British Minister of African Affairs, Mark Malloc–Brown indicated Britain wants better bilateral relations with Sudan in order to resolve Darfur crisis
• The minister said in doing so, Britain would not compromise its principles but would seek to implement confidence-building measures between the two countries
• He added the British government wants to convince Al Bashir that Darfur hybrid force deployment is “not meant to threaten his regime but to protect civilians”

Source: Al Khaleej (UAE daily, with over 80,000 in circulation)
Headline: Khartoum Signs Darfur Hybrid Force Deployment Rules

• Sudan, African Union, and United Nations signed operation rules for Darfur hybrid force
• The rules detail the legal framework of Darfur hybrid force’s deployment
• Sudanese foreign minister, who signed the agreement, indicated that protection of Darfur civilians is Sudanese government’s responsibility and international efforts show international community’s commitment to stability in the region
• He added the signed agreement respects the African nature of the force
• Meanwhile, hybrid force leader Adada described the agreement as an “important step” towards the deployment of Darfur hybrid force

Source: Al Hayat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: Sudan Acknowledged Attack on Darfur Villages to Expel “Deby Supporters” to Chad
By: Annour Ahmed Annour

• Situation in Darfur deteriorated after government forces attacked three villages near the borders with Chad to chase Justice and Equality Rebels, killing dozens and forcing thousands to flee the area
• The attack came hours after UN envoy Eliasson warned that civil war could break out in all of Darfur
• The government forces strengthened their hold on the region lately in an effort to chase JEM fighters who helped Chadian president during Chadian rebel attack last week

Source: Al Hayat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: Fear of Rape and Violence Follow Darfur Women Even in Chad
By: Mohamed Al Hani

• Kalthoum and Fatima vividly remember the faces of their rapists as they dream of the day they would face them in court
• Their suffering started one cold day in 2003 when Janjaweed militia forces burned down their village and killed most of the civilian population.  Kalthoum and Fatima were kept for three months against their will as 7 people raped them repeatedly.  They were barely 12 years old
• The two girls managed to escape after weeks of forced labor and daily violence and rape and caught up with a traveling tribe after three days of aimless walking.  They arrived in eastern Chad after 15 days of non-stop walking
• Their stories and those of countless other girls and women might differ slightly as to the date their respective villages were attacked, but they all remember the day and time they were attacked and the faces of their rapists.  They guard that in their memories as they dream of the day they face their rapists in court
• At the camp in Chad where the two girls found refuge, girls and women still face violence and rape when they go out to collect wood and search for food

Source: Addustour (Government-friendly, Jordanian daily enjoys wide circulation)
Headline: Darfur Rebels Warn Hybrid Force against Entering Western Darfur

• Khalil Ibrahim of Justice and Equality Movement warned Darfur hybrid force against entering the three villages that were attacked by government forces.  This warming will delay the investigation of the attacks
• He warned that his forces will return to their positions and would attack anyone who enters the villages
• The hybrid force already came under fire by the Sudanese army near Al Jeneina, the capital of West Darfur few weeks ago
• Eyewitnesses say that over 200 civilians were killed in the government attack while UN agency reported that over 12,000 fled to Chad

Source: Al Jazeera (Leading Arabic News Channel, headquartered in Qatar)
Headline: Sudan Accuses Hybrid Force of Double Standards

• Sudanese ministry of foreign affairs accused Ban Ki-Moon and Rudolph Adada of using double standards in the fighting in western Darfur
• Sudan accuse the hybrid force leaders of turning a blind eye when JEM fighters attacked government police and chased civilians, but raised concern when government forces tried to restore peace and protect the civilian population
• Khalil Ibrahim of Justice and Equality Movement warned the hybrid force against entering the region that was attacked by government forces, which would delay the force’s investigation of the attack
• Meanwhile, Rudolph Adada warned that his forces would not stand by and watch the civilian population being attacked while UN secretary general condemned the government attack which killed 27 civilians

Source: Al Hayat (Saudi-owned Pan-Arab daily with wide circulation)
Headline: 12,000 Fled to Chad after Renewed Violence in Darfur
By: Annour Ahmed Annour

• Abu Al Qasem Imam, Governor of West Darfur, condemned Janjaweed militia’s  attack of three villages bombed by government forces to chase away JEM fighters
• Imam accused the militia of killing civilians but defended the government action as legitimate to rid the region of JEM fighters
• Local leaders estimated that more than 200 people were killed in the fighting and UN agency indicated that 12,000 civilians fled the region into Chad
• Rudolph Adada, Hybrid force leader, warned that his forces would not stand by as the civilian population is attacked and called for an immediate end to the violence in the region