DARFUR, Sudan – There is serious concern for the safety of thousands of civilians in the Jebel Moun area of Darfur where the Sudanese Military is reported to have renewed its bombing campaign. UNAMID, the joint African Union and United Nations mission in Sudan received reports of aerial bombings conducted by the Sudanese government. The conflict started five years ago and has resulted in 200,000 casualties and over 2.5 million homeless persons. The UN estimates that there are 20,000 people in the Moun area.

China is under increasing pressure to use its influence over Sudan to help resolve the situation. China is expected to provide $11 million dollars in humanitarian assistance this week. China played down allegations that its arms sales to Sudan have helped fuel the conflict saying that even if they were to stop selling arms to Sudan this would only account for 8% of the countries arms imports.

UNAMID began deploying troops in the region in January and thus far the UNAMID force consists of only 9,000 of its full force level of 26,000.

BBC News – Sudan ‘renews Darfur air strikes’ – 24 February 2008

Reuters  – Darfuris caught in crossfire as Sudan bombs rebels-UN – 24 February 2008