KHARTOUM, Sudan, Oct. 10 (UPI) -- Rebel forces in the Sudan's embattled Darfur released all but two of a group of 38 captured African Union peacekeepers Monday.
Eighteen AU troops were captured over the weekend, and the 20-member team sent to rescue them was also seized, the report said.
The rebel group Justice and Equality Movement's commander, Mohammed Saleh denied his men were involved but said he had warned the AU to leave and not to travel in areas he controls.
Two AU peacekeepers and two civilian contractors were killed Saturday, and another peacekeeper died Sunday from injuries in the ambush the AU blamed on the main Darfur rebel group, the Sudan Liberation Army.
Since the Darfur conflict began in early 2003, about 180,000 people have been killed and 2 million have fled their homes as rebels battle the government that they accuse of neglect.
