U.S. condemns violence in Darfur

WASHINGTON, May 19 (UPI) -- The government of Sudan and Darfur rebel forces should return to the negotiating table and end their conflict, the U.S. State Department said.

Conflict between fighters with the rebel Justice and Equality Movement and government forces has taken a bloody toll in conflict in the West Darfur area of Jebel Moon.

The government in Khartoum said it killed 108 rebels after seizing the area. JEM fighters denied the claims, the Sudan Tribune reports.

U.N. peacekeepers said Monday that JEM rebels have pulled out of the area.

Washington, meanwhile, said it condemned a move by the government in Khartoum to use air raids on JEM militants fighting in Jebel Moon.

P.J. Crowley, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department, said such operations are a threat to the civilian population and would likely lead to mass internal displacement.

He added that Khartoum should make sure U.N. and African Union peacekeepers, as well as humanitarian groups, are allowed access to the conflict-torn areas in West Darfur.

Both sides, Crowley said, should "refrain from any further actions that would undermine the Darfur peace process or endanger civilians" and return to the negotiating table.

Both sides reached a cease-fire agreement in February but were unable to formalize a truce.