SLM/A-Haskanita (the faction that's now part of NRF) says SLM/A's Minnawi faction attacked them in Tourra, N Darfur

At the moment I am working on piecing together a list of Darfur rebel groups requested by a Sudan Watch reader. Not a quick or easy task. When completed, I'll publish it here for future reference and update it when changes occur.

Meanwhile, an unsourced report from Al-Fasher at Sudan Tribune July 29, 2006 says SLM/A-Haskanita (the faction that's now part of NRF) claims that SLM/A's Minnawi faction attacked them in Tourra, North Darfur. Note also, the article suggests the mounting military operation undertaken by Sudanese forces against Darfur holdout rebel groups indicates Khartoum has chosen to close the door on talks with the NRF groups:

A Darfur rebel group called upon the International Committee of the Red Cross to contact them in order to deliver 200 POWs, the group also accused the African Union of becoming an ally of the former rebel group which signed the Darfur Peace Agreement.

The Sudan Liberation Movement Haskanita faction - once was part of Minawi faction and now joined the National Redemption Front (NRF) - said in a press statement Sudanese army, Jajaweed militia and the SLM Minawi faction troops attacked their position in Tourra area 25 klm in the north of Al-Fasher North Darfur on Friday 28 July.

The SLM Haskanita spokesperson Isam Eddine al-Haj said in the press statement, Sudanese army aviation from Antonove aeroplane and helicopters participated in the attack.

Al-Haj denounced the African Union stand in the conflict saying it provides logistical support to Minawi group. He said that AU mission in Darfur can be considered as accomplice of the Sudanese government.

The AU headquarters in Al-Fasher hosts, since the signing of the peace deal, the former rebel leader Minni Minawi and his military commanders.

The AU envoy to Sudan yesterday in a joint statement with the UN special envoy to Sudan condemned governmental troops attack against rebels' positions.

"This is typical of the kind of incidents which should normally be investigated by the Ceasefire Commission and the Joint Commission. But the refusal of the DPA signatories to have all inclusive Commissions makes prompt and thorough investigations difficult" said the joint statement of the AU, UN envoys to Sudan. The SLM Haskanita talks for the first time in the press statement about their allied forces to mention the NRF troop.

The mounting military operation undertaken by the Sudanese army against the Darfur holdout rebel groups indicates that Khartoum has chosen to close the door of talks with the NRF groups.