U.N. condemns Sudan air bombing in Darfur

KHARTOUM, Sudan, Jan. 16 (UPI) -- The United Nations is calling for an end to hostilities in the Darfur region of Sudan after the government launched airstrikes Thursday.

U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon Thursday said military violence would not bring peace to the war-ravaged Darfur, where ongoing violence between government forces and the rebel militants has resulted in an estimated 300,000 deaths and the displacement of millions of civilians.

Thursday the Sudanese government launched an aerial bombing campaign and ground offensive targeting militiamen in the southern Muhajeria region of Darfur. Ban called on the Sudanese government and rebel leaders to end the military aggression, the United Nations reported.

"Military action is not a viable solution to ending the conflict in Darfur and can only result in the unwarranted death and suffering of the civilian population of Sudan," Ban said in a statement, according to a representative.

"Such actions are in violation of both Security Council resolutions and relevant agreements."