Reports at odds about Darfur copter crash

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Feb. 25 (UPI) -- Two rebel groups claimed to have shot down a Sudanese army helicopter that army officials said actually crashed after a technical malfunction.

An army spokesman said the all members of the helicopter crew were accounted for but didn't say if the crew members were alive or how many people had been on the aircraft.

The helicopter crashed Sunday in Kondifay in the Jebel Moun area of West Darfur during an attack by the Sudanese army and the Janjaweed militia against the the Sudan Liberation Movement and the Justice and Equality Movement, the Sudan Tribune reported Monday.

Two rebel groups told the newspaper they shot down the aircraft. However, a Sudanese army spokesman said Monday the copter crashed because of a technical failure.

Meanwhile, leaders of the joint African Union-U.N. peacekeeping mission, Rodolphe Adada, and Ameerah Haq issued a statement expressing concern and calling upon government and rebel officials to grant access to civilians at risk.

"We're gravely concerned for the safety of thousands of civilians who are in" the area of the bombings, they said. "As of (Monday) morning, we received an assurance from the government that civilians will be allowed out of the area and to safety. We are seeking the same assurances from the rebel movements in the area. ... We're seeking humanitarian access."