Northern Sudan blamed for attacks on aid centers

KHARTOUM, Sudan — Attacks on civilians and humanitarian installations by the Northern Sudanese military have led to renewed international interest in that country’s civil war.

Feb. 9, a military plane belonging to the Islamic government in Khartoum bombed Akuem — a humanitarian aid center in northern Bahr El Ghazal. The U.N.’s World Food Program dropped a shipment of grain there just four days before the attack, said Civil Commissioner Victor Akok. Seven bombs were reportedly dropped as a crowd of civilians gathered at Akuem’s airstrip for a distribution of the food. At least one person died and many more were wounded.

Another attack occurred Feb. 20, and was again aimed at a World Food Program installation located in the village of Bieh. A helicopter gunship hovered over the village, then fired rockets into the area. At least 17 people died in the attack.