Source: Xinhua| 2018-08-09 05:37:05|Editor: Mu Xuequan

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KHARTOUM, Aug. 8 (Xinhua) -- Three armed groups in Sudan's Darfur region on Wednesday declared extension of unilateral cessation of hostilities for three months.

"The announcement of immediate cessation of operations was necessitated by humanitarian purposes," said a joint statement by rebel Sudan Liberation Movement (SLM)/Minni Minnawi faction, Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), led by Jibril Ibrahim, and SLM/Transitional Council.

The move tends to protect civilians, ensure unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance to the people affected by war and create a conducive environment for the peace talks, it said.

According to the statement, the cessation of hostilities would continue until Nov. 6, 2018.

Last July, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir issued a decree to extend the cease-fire in all conflict zones till the end of 2018.

For the past few years, the Sudanese government and the armed opposition have been repeatedly renewing the cease-fire in the conflict zones.

The Sudanese army has been fighting the rebels of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM)/northern sector in Blue Nile and Kordofan since 2011. It has also been fighting armed groups in Sudan's Darfur region since 2003.