Global General

Two Russian pilots kidnapped in Darfur

(Xinhua)
Updated: 2010-08-30 15:11

KHARTOUM - Two Russian pilots had been kidnapped in Sudan's Darfur region, the official SUNA news agency said Monday.

The two pilots were working for the Sudanese Badr Airlines and were taken hostage on Sunday afternoon, the agency said.

Related readings:  Hundreds of Darfur rebels killed by Sudanese army  Two peacekeepers of UNAMID killed in Darfur  52 civilians killed in renewed tribal clashes in Darfur

The incident occurred in Nyala town of southern Darfur, where foreign aid workers and UN-backed peacekeeping forces are kidnapped from time to time, mostly by local tribal young men demanding cash.

Kidnapping targeting foreigners has become common business in the Darfur region.

A missing Russian pilot was located and safely returned to the UN base in Nyala on July 29. He had been held by hostile elements for 3 days after his aircraft landed in an undesignated area.