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de Montesquiou, A. (2007). Rebel attack came at the end of Ramadan fast. Associated Press.

Facing a genocide, hard to fault the strategy (if what you are doing -- waiting for the teethless African Union to save you -- is not working stop doing it) of the Darfuri rebels.

The rebels overran the African Union peacekeeping outpost, seized six armored vehicles and fled Sunday morning when the Sudanese army arrived at the base on the outskirts of the town of Haskanita in North Darfur where 157 peacekeepers and support staff were stationed.

An Associated Press reporter who landed at the base hours after the attack heard bursts of sporadic gunfire in the distance.

"We were just preparing for dinner when the first rocket hit us," said one peacekeeper, a stocky man in his 20s with a sharp nose.

Another soldier, fighting back tears, said: "The fighting was terrible. I can't even describe it."

The AU peacekeepers at the base repelled the first attack after dusk, but the rebels returned and a fresh battle raged for hours. Surviving peacekeepers said the rebels used several armored vehicles and rocket-propelled grenades — an indication they possess heavier weapons than previously believed.