Three killed, eight wounded in N. Darfur

AL FASHER, Sudan, May 5 (UPI) -- Attacks by Sudanese forces that left three dead prompted the evacuation of several other wounded villagers in the North Darfur region of Sudan.

The U.N.-African Union peacekeeping operation in the region, or UNAMID, airlifted at least eight North Darfur villagers injured after Sudanese government forces launched an air attack on the rebel Sudan Liberation Army-controlled area. Officials say the attacks resulted in the death of two men and one woman in the village of Umm Sidir in North Darfur, the United Nations reported.

The wounded, ages 17 to 40, were flown to the North Darfur capital of Al Fasher for treatment. UNAMID officials strongly condemned the attacks and pledged to continue monitoring the increasingly volatile situation in Darfur.

According to authorities, the North Darfur region of Sudan "has witnessed repeated aerial attacks and possible fighting between government and rebel forces during the course of the last few days," the release said.