Source: United Nations Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General (OSSG) Highlights of the noon briefing BY MARTIN NESIRKY, SPOKESPERSON FOR SECRETARY-GENERAL BAN KI-MOON
(extract)
Asked about reports of aerial bombing in Darfur, the Spokesperson said that the UN-African Union Mission there (UNAMID) is reporting that sounds of heavy explosions were heard at frequent intervals, throughout the day.
A patrol tasked to carry out investigation and verification of fighting in the area was advised by the Sudanese military at Shangil Tobaya that they should not visit Wadimura, as air operations was still going on. The team was told that they might get clearance to allow the UNAMID patrol to visit Wadimura area on Saturday, if the situation comes under control.
Nesirky added, in response to further questions, that recent fighting has displaced a large number of the local population. There has reportedly been a large influx of internally displaced persons (IDPs) into the ZamZam IDP camp, as many as 1,400 families. However, he said, the Government of Sudan suspended humanitarian access to the camp on 16 February due to the clashes.
Concerning the humanitarian assessment mission that was planned for that day, UNAMID has said that the patrol could not proceed beyond Dar el Salaam, about 45 km east of Shangil Tobaya, due to the ongoing aerial bombardment around Shangil Tobaya.
