Heavy fighting reported in Darfur

Fighting over a strategic town in southern Darfur has killed many rebels and government forces in the last week, and the Sudanese air force has bombed several villages, said rebels and international observers.

The clashes began Aug. 1 when rebels captured the town of Adilla, where Sudanese troops were stationed to protect the only railway linking Darfur to the capital, Khartoum, rebels said.

An international observer in Darfur said Sudanese forces had recaptured Adilla but that clashes were reportedly continuing.

Requesting anonymity because he was not authorized to speak to the media, he said it appeared that more than 100 government troops and militiamen known as janjaweed were dead. At least 10 rebels also were dead, he said.

There was no confirmation of his numbers, and the government denied any aerial bombing.