டார்பரில் அகதிகளாக இருக்கும் முஸ்லீம்கள் மீது தாக்குதலில் 27 முஸ்லீம்கள் கொலை

அரபு முஸ்லீம்கள் ஆளும் சூடான் அரசு துருப்புகள், அகதிகளாக இருக்கும் கருப்பின முஸ்லீம்களது அகதி முகாமை தாக்கியதில் 27 முஸ்லீம்கள் கொல்லப்பட்டார்கள்.

At least 27 reported dead after arms raid by Sudanese troops on aid camp
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Fighting erupted after about 70 government vehicles surrounded Kalma camp early in the morning.

Sudanese armed forces have made repeated raids on the camp to seize weapons.

Aid workers believe the government is desperate to close the volatile camp because its residents are sympathetic to rebel factions.

Abakr Suleiman, a tribal leader, told Reuters: "I am inside the camp Kalma. Now there is still shooting. There is heavy shooting.

"They came into the camp and killed people. There are houses burning."

Aid sources said the death toll had reached 27 with as many as 60 injured before the clashes subsided. However, estimates varied wildly and there has not yet been any independent verification of the figures.

Ameerah Haq, United Nations humanitarian co-ordinator, said she was concerned about the reports. "Such actions severely threaten the safety and security of civilians who have a right to protection under international humanitarian law," she said.

"The United Nations urges restraint and calls for the immediate establishment of a humanitarian corridor so that the injured may be evacuated."

An official with the joint United Nations and African Union peacekeeping force said a patrol was on its way to Kalma, close to Nyala, the capital of South Darfur.

More than 200,000 people have died during five years of conflict with a further 2.5 million forced to flee their homes. Many now live in sprawling aid camps which have grown to the size of cities. They are supposed to offer a haven from the violence but many are riddled with violence.

Kalma is known as one of the biggest and most volatile. It houses a mishmash of Darfur's tribes who frequently organise against each other. The camp is awash with guns and armed factions. As a result, humanitarian agencies are wary of operating among its simple lean-tos and often withdraw their staff altogether.

Yesterday, a rebel commander said the attack was part of an attempt to close the camp and disperse its residents to remove a centre of dissent.

"This morning security forces surrounded Kalma camp and demanded that every IDP (internally displaced person) leave," said Ahmed Abdel Shafie, a commander in the rebel Sudan Liberation Army. "Later, they opened fire on the eastern side of the camp. There were many casualties."

The Sudanese president, Omar al-Bashir, denies accusations that his forces are engaged in genocide in Darfur.

Judges at the International Criminal Court are currently considering whether to issue a warrant for his arrest.

Last month the court's prosecutor lodged evidence on 10 counts of genocide, murder and crimes against humanity.

Since then President Bashir has launched a diplomatic campaign building support to block any indictments. The African Union and Arab League have both warned against sending the Sudanese leader to The Hague to face trial, saying it could hinder attempts to find peace.

Djibril Bassole, a new joint mediator appointed by the UN and AU, was due to arrive in Khartoum last night as part of the latest move to try to end the conflict.

Violence in Darfur began in 2003 when rebel groups complaining of discrimination against black Africans began attacking government targets.

© 2008 The Irish Times