Sudan's military says it has bombed rebel positions in the war-ravaged Darfur region.

The military says planes attacked rebels near Muhajaria, a village in southern Darfur.

An spokesman says the army bombed the area to protect civilians living there.

The army did not specify the target, but commanders of the rebel Justice and Equality Movement told reporters their fighters were attacked.

Sudan rarely acknowledges its aerial bombings in Darfur. Such bombings are prohibited under U.N. Security Council resolutions.

The International Criminal Court is considering whether to issue an arrest warrant for Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir.

ICC prosecutors accuse Mr. Bashir of orchestrating a genocide in Darfur. Sudan has refused to cooperate with the court and warns that a warrant will undermine efforts to bring peace to the region.

Earlier this week, Sudan's security chief warned that foreigners could be attacked by what he called "outlaws" if the ICC prosecutes the president.

Darfur rebel groups launched an uprising against the Sudanese government in early 2003. Six years of fighting involving rebels, the government, and government-backed militias has killed more than 200,000 people and displaced more than two-and-a-half million.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.