The Sudanese army has criticised a recent UN report accusing it of raping women and girls, and looting towns during attacks in western Darfur.

The UN said raids by aircraft and ground forces on three towns in February left at least 115 people dead.

A Sudanese military spokesman said the army was doing its job of protecting civilians by forcing rebels out.

The United Nations says more than 200,000 people have died in Darfur since rebels took up arms in 2003.

Two million people have been displaced and now live in camps.

Brig Gen Osman Mohamed al-Aghbash blamed rebels in Darfur for attacks on civilians in the area and the looting of their property.

“The army, discharging its duty… regarding the prevalence of security and protection of civilian lives, would go after rebels and bandit groups all over the country,” he is quoted as saying by Sudan’s official news agency Suna.

More than 30,000 people fled the attacks on the towns of Sirba, Sileia and Abu Suruj, said the report, issued on Thursday by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights and the UN-African Union Mission in Darfur (Unamid).

The report said the large scale of destruction suggested the damage was done deliberately as part of a military strategy.

It quotes witness reports of government-backed militiamen on camels and horseback setting houses on fire, shooting at residents and looting.

It also says witnesses saw members of the Sudanese armed forces joining in the attacks, raping girls and taking part in looting.

The report describes the “major military campaign” as an attempt by the government to regain control of the northern corridor of West Darfur, and to drive out the Justice and Equality Movement rebel group.