Sudan warplanes rain bombs on south town

Juba: Sudanese warplanes launched their first attack on a major South Sudanese town yesterday, with five bombs dropped on the capital of the oil-producing Unity border state, Southern officials said.

"They dropped bombs in Bentiu town — apparently they were aiming for a bridge," South Sudan's deputy information minister Atem Yaak Atem told AFP.

The latest clashes have brought the two former foes the closest to a return to outright war.

South Sudan's president says the nation will not withdraw its troops that this week entered a disputed border region with Sudan.

Speaking yesterday in front of parliament, President Salva Kiir said the country's military would also re-enter another disputed area, Abyei, currently occupied by Sudan if the United Nations does not urge Sudan to withdraw.

Heglig captured

Troops from South Sudan on Wednesday captured the oil-rich border town of Heglig that is claimed by Sudan, whose troops withdrew under the onslaught.

President Kiir said he had received numerous appeals from the international community to withdraw troops from the disputed territory, including a call from United Nation's Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.

"Last night I never slept because of the telephone calls," he said. "Those who have been calling me — starting with the UN secretary general yesterday — he gave me an order that I'm ordering you to immediately withdraw from Heglig. I said I'm not under your command," Kiir said.

Condemnation

The military advance by South Sudan into territory it claims but which is internationally recognised as Sudan's brought swift condemnation from the United States and Britain. Both nations, along with the UN Security Council, urged South Sudan to withdraw from the town of Heglig and condemned the bombings of South Sudan territory by Sudan.

Sudanese President Omar Al Bashir accused South Sudan yesterday of "choosing the path of war," following days of intensifying clashes on their shared border.