Cablegate: Amis Camp in Haskanita Attacked

VZCZCXRO2631
PP RUEHGI RUEHMA RUEHROV
DE RUEHKH #1526 2731431
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P 301431Z SEP 07
FM AMEMBASSY KHARTOUM
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 8666
INFO RUCNFUR/DARFUR COLLECTIVE
RHMFISS/CJTF HOA

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001526

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE, SIPDIS

DEPT FOR AF/SPG, S/CRS
DEPT PLS PASS USAID FOR AFR/SUDAN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KPKO SOCI AU UN US SU

SUBJECT: AMIS CAMP IN HASKANITA ATTACKED

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ATTACK ON AMIS IN HASKANITA
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1. (SBU) On the evening of September 29 the AMIS Military Group
Site (MGS) in Haskanita came under brazen attack by an unidentified
force using small arms fire, machine gun fire, and rocket-propelled
grenades, but the attack was repulsed. In the early hours of
September 30, the MGS was attacked again and this time overrun.
AMIS issued a statement confirming that 10 AMIS soldiers were
killed, seven injured, and some fifty missing. Although AMIS
patrols have become involved in clashes before, this is the first
attack on an MGS.

2. (SBU) At the AMIS morning briefing in El Fasher, the Chief of
Staff reported that Force Commander Agwai was preparing to fly to Al
Daein in South Darfur, where relief troops are staging, including
troops from the Nyala and Muhajeria MGSs. The Chief of Staff
further noted that all the buildings in the MGS had been ransacked
or burned. He added that the relief column would advance to
Haskanita when the area is cleared by the Sudanese Armed Forces
(SAF), who would also evacuate the wounded if required. According
to United Nations security personnel, both they and AMIS have
received permission from the Sudanese government to conduct flights
into the area.

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SPECULATION AS TO WHO AND WHY
-----------------------------

3. (SBU) An AMIS press statement issued the afternoon of September
30 did not address what forces conducted the attack or the
nationalities of those killed. However, MGS Haskanita is in a
sector manned by Nigerian troops. There were also reports that a
Senegalese CivPol officer was killed. In the morning briefing, the
Chief of Staff speculated that the attack had been carried out by
SLA/Unity, since, he noted, the JEM had left that area four days
previously. As for motive, he speculated it may have been SLA/Unity
frustration that AMIS had not been able to halt SAF air attacks
against them.

4. (SBU) The general sense among AMIS contacts is shock, but also
shame that they were not able to come to the aid of their comrades
under attack. A military observer expressed concern that this may
not be the last such attack.

5. (SBU) Further reporting will be provided septel.

FERNANDEZ

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