Gunmen in Darfur attack peacekeepers, killing 3 in hour-long firefight
By APMonday, June 21, 2010
3 peacekeepers killed by gunmen in Darfur
CAIRO — The joint U.N.-African Union peacekeeping mission in Darfur says three of its peacekeepers were killed in a shoot out in the arid western region of Sudan.
The peacekeepers were providing security as a new base was being built in West Darfur province, near the rebel stronghold of Jebel Marra when they were attacked by around two dozen armed men.
UNAMID spokesman Chris Cycmanick said Monday the firefight lasted one hour and three of the assailants were killed as well.
The gunmen then fled with one of the mission’s four wheel drive vehicles.
Conflict erupted in Darfur when ethnic African rebels took up arms against the Arab-dominated central government. The U.N. estimated 300,000 people have died. Rebel groups have also splintered often fight each other.
