Darfur Town Razed, U.N. Says

United Nations officials are reporting that the Darfur town of Haskanita has been “completely burned down, except for a few buildings.”  The Sudanese army and janjaweed militias are apparently behind the destruction of Haskanita, U.N. sources say.

Los Angeles Times:

The U.N. did not say who set fire to the town but said Sudanese government forces took control of the area last week after suspected Darfur rebels attacked the nearby African Union base a week ago, killing 10 peacekeepers.

United Nations officials said the burning began Wednesday but that observers were unable to obtain firsthand confirmation until Sunday.

“The market area had been looted,” the U.N. statement said. It said most civilians fled after the Sept. 29 attack on the base but that a few returned to search for food and water.

A U.N. official who had just inspected the North Darfur town said Sunday that 15,000 civilians were fleeing the area.

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