Sudanese government denies air raids in the east

The Sudanese government denied allegations by the two rebel movements in the eastern part of the country that government warplanes bombarded two cities there describing the allegations as "groundless."

The Sudanese minister of information Abdul Baset Sdeirat replied to these accusations saying that the statements of the rebels are "not true," stressing that the warplanes did not launch any air strikes against any region in the east of Sudan. A Sudanese military spokesman admitted that the army forces launched military operations but indicated that these were aimed at searching for the remains of rebels who attacked Touker area.

Al-Baha rebels congress movement, in the east of Sudan, alleged that the government forces bombarded positions in the area which has recently increased. Saleh Barqin, one member of the movement, said that the bombardment resulted in injuring several citizens.

Forces for al-Baha congress and al-Adel Wal- Muswat ( Justice and equality) movement in Darfur had announced launching joint attacks at positions for the Sudanese army to the east of the country three days earlier and claimed that 20 government soldiers were captured.