World briefs

Suicide bombing further complicates Gaza pullout

BEERSHEBA, Israel — A Palestinian suicide bombing attack in a southern Israeli city raised tensions as Israel pursued its pullout from Gaza, with Israel demanding tougher action against militants and Palestinians blaming Israel for an escalation in violence.

Two Israeli security guards were critically wounded in the blast outside the central bus station in Beersheba.

Their action — keeping the attacker outside the crowded bus station during Sunday morning rush hour — probably prevented him from killing and wounding dozens.

Israeli media said that in addition to the two guards, 46 people were treated for shock.

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas denounced the bombing as a “terror attack” and called on Israel to show restraint.

“We condemn such attacks. We don’t accept them, and we call on everyone to refrain from retaliation,” he said.

 

Intimidation drive sparks fear in Sudanese refugees

EL-GENEINA, Sudan — The killings and burning of homes have diminished since terrified villagers in Sudan’s West Darfur state fled to camps for the displaced and African Union soldiers arrived to protect them.

But a campaign of intimidation blamed on seminomadic Arabs known as the Janjaweed continues, and has cut so deeply into the local psyche that refugees can’t shake their fear of going home.

Many of th ose in the camps complain it still is not safe even to venture to the outskirts of the compound, let alone trek to far-off villages.

“If we go outside the camp, we might be raped. If we go back to the village we may be killed,” said Ashya Diar Sugu, who has lived at Riad camp on the outskirts of el-Geneina since the nomads attacked her home two years ago.

They killed Diar Sugu’s husband.