Clashes in Darfur mark five years of war

Darfur rebels and Sudanese armed forces clashed in West Darfur in a renewal of fighting in the volatile Sudan-Chad border area, with both sides claiming yesterday they had inflicted heavy casualties.

The violence came as activists around the world marked five years of war in Darfur with protests to highlight the plight of more than one million children caught in the conflict.

West Darfur has seen the worst fighting between the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), Darfur's most militarily powerful rebels, and the government, with more than 100 people killed in clashes in February. Sudan accuses neighbouring Chad of supporting JEM.

"The movement shot at an army helicopter and burnt it completely during the battle, and hit another one although its fate is unknown," JEM said in a statement sent yesterday.

A senior Sudanese army officer said JEM attacked from vehicles that came from the north and west, across the border in Chad.

"There are many losses from the enemy side," he said, denying that any helicopters had been hit. "All our helicopters are fine." He declined to be named.

Yesterday's international commemoration, backed by celebrities including children's authors Judy Blume and J.K. Rowling and actor George Clooney, was organised by an international coalition of activists and rights groups.

"Days like this matter because they keep what is happening in the eyes of the international community," said Mr Clooney, who is also a UN messenger of peace.

International experts estimate some 200,000 people have died and 2.5 million been driven from their homes since mostly non-Arab rebels took up arms in Darfur in early 2003 charging the government in Khartoum with neglect.

The government countered the revolt with men and air power, and by arming local militia which are accused of targeting civilians by burning villages, pillaging, killing and rape.

Washington calls the violence genocide and the conflict has captured attention in the West, with Hollywood stars, sportsmen and world famous authors campaigning for an end to the fighting.

Khartoum denies genocide, a term European governments are reluctant to use, and puts the death toll at 9,000, blaming the Western media for exaggerating the conflict.