Darfur rebels say govt attacks as U.N. vote nears

By Opheera McDoom

KHARTOUM (Reuters) - Darfur rebels said Sudanese planes and troops attacked villages in the western region before a U.N. Security Council vote Thursday on the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers to the region.

Rights groups and Washington have accused Sudan's Khartoum-based government, which opposes the U.N. troop deployment, of a huge military build-up in recent weeks.

The rebels said the new offensive began two days ago as government forces attacked and occupied Kulkul about 35 km (22 miles) north of Darfur's main town, el-Fasher. Read more >>>